Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA)

The MASFA will be used by the MA Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) and the college/university to determine a student’s financial aid eligibility for in-state tuition rates and need-based state financial aid. Completing the MASFA does not guarantee access to state financial aid, but it makes all students in Massachusetts eligible for consideration under the same terms.

Who should complete the MASFA?

Students should only complete ONE financial aid application. Complete the MASFA if you are ineligible our unable to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Students are encouraged to use DHE’s FAFSA/MASFA Eligibility Questionnaire to identify which financial aid application to complete.

CAUTION: Failure to comply with this requirement will result in substantial delays to financial aid application processing and may potentially impact the applicant's state financial aid award.

Complete the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA) if you meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Are ineligible or unable to complete the FAFSA
• Are not present in the United States on a visa or immigration status within the meaning of 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(A-S); and
• Attended three years of high school in Massachusetts High School and
• Earned a Massachusetts high school diploma or equivalent (i.e., GED, HiSet) and
• Have physically resided in Massachusetts for at least one year

Please Note: to be eligible for Massachusetts State Financial Aid program, you must also be physically living in Massachusetts for at least 12 months prior to the start of the academic year.

Application Deadlines

2026-2027 MASFA (Academic Year: July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027)

• Complete the 2026-2027 application if you will be enrolled in college during the Fall 2026 and/or Spring 2027, and/or Summer 2027 semester(s)
• Students are encouraged to complete the application by the Massachusetts priority deadline: May 1, 2026
• Eligible students must create an account on the MASSAid/MASFA portal to access the 2026-2027 application
• Review the 2026-2027 MASFA Application Guide and FAQ (PDF) for information on account setup and application requirements
• Application will remain open until June 30, 2027

2025-2026 MASFA (Academic Year: July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026)

• Application closed on June 30, 2026

Please Note: The MASFA is only available electronically. Paper applications are not available.