Financial Aid in Massachusetts (2026–27)
Your FAFSA deadline, Massachusetts's grant programs, and how to get every dollar you qualify for: federal, state, and scholarships.
Massachusetts FAFSA deadline for state aid
May 1, 2026 for priority consideration.
The FAFSA for 2026–27 opened October 1, 2025; the federal deadline is June 30, 2027. State and school funds often run out well before deadlines, so file early either way.
Not sure what you'll get? Estimate your federal aid in 2 minutes
Massachusetts grant programs
MASSGrant / MASSGrant Plus
Covers tuition and fees for Pell-eligible students at Massachusetts public colleges and universities.
Administered by Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance. Filing the FAFSA is how you're considered for most state programs.
Scholarships for Massachusetts students
Grants and federal aid have income cutoffs. Scholarships don't, and they stack on top of everything above. Award Scholar matches Massachusettsstudents with scholarships they actually qualify for (including state-specific awards) and writes the application essays. It's free.
Common questions
When is the FAFSA deadline in Massachusetts?
For 2026–27 state aid: May 1, 2026 for priority consideration. The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2027, but state and school money often runs out far earlier, so file as soon as you can.
What grants does Massachusetts offer?
MASSGrant / MASSGrant Plus: Covers tuition and fees for Pell-eligible students at Massachusetts public colleges and universities. You're considered for most of these automatically when you file the FAFSA as a Massachusetts resident.
How do I apply for financial aid in Massachusetts?
File the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. It covers federal aid (Pell Grants, loans, work-study) and is how Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance determines state awards. Then apply to scholarships separately; they stack on top of everything else.