Financial Aid
Financial aid starts with completing the FAFSA, and in some cases the CSS Profile if the college requires it. These forms allow colleges to create a financial aid offer letter for you. The offer outlines scholarships, grants, and loans, and it gives you a clear picture of how much each school will cost per year. Once this step is done, you can move on to applying for scholarships.
Students at Oliver Ames have access to several types of scholarship opportunities. The OA specific scholarships usually offer the best odds because you are only competing with other students in your grade. These applications are typically posted on the School Counseling website at the end of March, and the awards are given out at Class Night. Beyond that, there are regional scholarships listed in Naviance and posted on the board in the guidance office. You can also look at national scholarships, and we have links to several scholarship search engines on our website. Keep in mind that national scholarships tend to be more competitive since they are open to students across the country.
Massachusetts Community Colleges:
All 15 community colleges participate in the MassEducate and MassReconnect programs, which provide free tuition and some financial support for books and supplies for Massachusetts residents who haven’t earned a bachelor’s degree. This includes:
Berkshire Community College
Bristol Community College
Bunker Hill Community College
Holyoke Community College
Massasoit Community College
MassBay Community College
Northern Essex Community College
North Shore Community College
Roxbury Community College
Springfield Technical Community College (STCC)
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS System:
UMass Amherst: Offers free tuition and fees for in-state undergraduate students with household incomes of $75,000 or less through the UMass Amherst Advantage program.
UMass Dartmouth: The “UMass Dartmouth Deal” provides tuition and fee support, as well as access to resources, for in-state, undergraduate students with an annual family income of $75,000 or less.
UMass Boston: Offers free tuition for in-state students from low-income families. In-state students from families with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less qualify for the program.
UMass Lowell: Eligible Massachusetts students whose family income is $75,000 or less will pay no undergraduate tuition or fees when they enroll at UMass Lowell
Bridgewater State University: Offers free tuition to Massachusetts families earning $125,000 or less through “The Bridgewater Commitment”.
Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) Through a pilot program with the City of Boston, Pell-eligible students transferring from a Massachusetts community college can attend MassArt tuition-free.
Framingham State University: Framingham State Tuition Promise offers free tuition to families earning less than $85,000.
Private Colleges:
MIT: Provides free tuition for undergraduate students with family incomes below $200,000.
Brandeis University: Offers tuition-free programs for eligible families.
Harvard: Currently covers tuition, housing, and food costs for students from families with an annual income of $85,000 or less.
Dartmouth College: Dartmouth provides free tuition to students from families with incomes of $125,000 or less and typical assets. The college also replaces undergraduate student loans with scholarship grants.
Holy Cross: Students whose families have a total income of $100,00 or less are eligible.
Tufts University: Starting in Fall 2026, U.S. undergraduates from families earning under $150,000 will attend tuition-free (for families with typical assets who apply for aid). Students from families earning under $60,000 will typically receive aid packages without student loans.
Flagship Match – University of Maine Orono and the SUNY (State Of New York) system offer flagship matches in that they will charge students the same cost as UMass Amherst.
Nearly every student is eligible for some form of financial aid. FAFSA is the application used by nearly all colleges and universities to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid, including grants, educational loans, and work-study programs.
The CSS PROFILE is required by some private colleges and universities to determine eligibility for non-government financial aid, such as the institution’s own grants, loans, and scholarships. Click here for an FAQ about the CSS PROFILE.
The biggest differences between the CSS PROFILE and the FAFSA are:
- Submission dates: The CSS PROFILE and FAFSA can both be submitted in the fall.
- Specific questions: The CSS PROFILE contains questions specific to the school or program you’re applying to; FAFSA contains the same questions for everyone.
- Different methodology: The CSS PROFILE determines your financial need differently than the FAFSA, taking into account such factors as whether your family owns a home. In general, the CSS PROFILE asks for more detailed information than FAFSA.
- Minimum student contribution: The CSS PROFILE requires this; the FAFSA doesn’t.
- Greater reliance on professional judgment: The CSS PROFILE gives financial aid counselors greater freedom to grant aid based on a student’s particular circumstances.
- Cost: CSS PROFILE costs $25 plus $16 for each school or scholarship program selected; the FAFSA, as the name implies, is free.
- To access the CSS PROFILE, click here
FAFSA Day Massachusetts, a College Goal Sunday Program, is a non-profit, volunteer-driven program providing free assistance to students and families seeking to complete the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
The Massachusetts Educational Financial Authority (MEFA) is a non-profit organization that strives to make college more accessible and affordable for Massachusetts students and families. MEFA helps families, plan, save, and pay for college.
Open to students of all ages and income levels, our Brockton Center offers guidance on college selection and financing, managing money, college guidebooks and resources, and career planning services. We also partner with the Massachusetts Career Information System, built by the Massachusetts Division of Employment and Training (DET).
As part of the Federal TRIO Program’s Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC), we focus on providing low-income, first-generation students with assistance in their pursuit of postsecondary education opportunities.
Brockton College Planning Center
231 Main Street, Suite R (Point your GPS to 27 Belmont St for the entrance)
Brockton, MA, 02301
View Map
(866) 891-4716 or brockcpc@asa.org
Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Please print and complete this form before your first visit. Students will need a parent or guardian’s signature.
Use this college cost calculator when you receive financial aid offers to compare the aid you receive and determine your estimated college costs and balance due at each prospective college. Final costs for your selected college will be determined at the time your bill is issued, typically in June or July.
MEFA Events – Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority offers free informative webinars and virtual community events on a range of topics, including College Financing. College Financing includes information and clarity on the entire college financial aid application process. You’ll learn about financial aid applications and types of financial aid, the factors that determine your aid eligibility, how colleges determine the amount of aid to offer, and the details of financial aid offers.
Scholarships
Massachusetts residents are eligible for more than 950 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through Tuition Break. The programs are offered by public colleges and universities in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont — all at a substantial tuition discount. Eligible students are charged a tuition rate that is significantly less than the regular out-of-state tuition rate.
Mike Rowe Works Scholarship – for high school graduates who plan to enroll in a trade program certification or training.
Massachusetts Construction Advancement Program (MCAP) give out scholarship awards each year to deserving individuals who are enrolled in a construction or civil engineering degree program.
LendEDU – New search tool where students can filter scholarship opportunities based on their grade level, GPA, the scholarship amount, and the requirements of the scholarship.
FASTWEB – Search for scholarships for college students with our free matching service for scholarships. Also learn about financial aid and student loan options to find money to pay for college.
College Board’s Scholarship Search engine partners with over 2,200 programs and has a number of filters to help you narrow down your options. You can enter personal and academic information to find scholarships for which you’d qualify or you can search for scholarships by type. Some scholarships honor academic achievement, while others prioritize students involved in certain activities.
Cappex – https://www.cappex.com/
Chegg – http://www.chegg.com/
CollegeNet – https://www.collegenet.com/elect/app/app
Naviance – https://student.naviance.com/oliverames
Peterson’s – https://www.petersons.com/
Scholarship Monkey – https://apply.surveymonkey.com/solutions/scholarships/Unigo – http://www.scholarshipmonkey.com/
The Dream Scholarship – Opportunity Scholarship for undocumented students who live in states where they effectively have no access to college – either because they face paying out-of-state tuition or because their state will simply not admit them into its universities.
Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA) is now available at mass.edu/tuitionequity/home.asp. This is an important step towards tuition equity in the Commonwealth. The MASFA allows undocumented students to apply for state financial aid for the first time.
The MASFA is for students who have completed at least three years of high school in Massachusetts and received a diploma but are ineligible for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) due to their immigration status.
Auxilia is a collection of financial aid data for hundreds of the most popular colleges and universities in the United States. You’ll be able to compare and contrast how each institution offers financial aid packages to international students, helping you make more informed choices during the application process.
College Financial Aid Eligibility by Immigration Status
| Immigration Status | Eligible for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) | Eligible for State Financial Aid | Eligible for Institutional (College) Aid | Notes / How to Apply |
| U.S. Citizen | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (in state of residence) | ✅ Yes | Apply using the FAFSA. Eligible for all federal, state, and college aid. |
| U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Apply using the FAFSA. Treated the same as U.S. citizens for aid. |
| Refugee, Asylee, Cuban-Haitian Entrant, or Conditional Entrant | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Apply using the FAFSA. Must have documentation (e.g., I-94) showing eligible status. |
| T-Visa Holder (Victim of Human Trafficking) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Apply using the FAFSA. Parents may not be eligible, but student is. |
| U-Visa Holder (Victim of Crime) | ❌ No | ⚠️ Sometimes | ✅ Often | Not eligible for federal aid. May qualify for state or college-based aid depending on location and school policy. Complete the state’s Dream Act or institutional aid form. |
| Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | ❌ No | ⚠️ Sometimes | ✅ Often | Not eligible for federal aid. Some states (like MA, CA, TX, NY, WA) and many colleges provide institutional aid. Apply using state or institutional forms. |
| DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) | ❌ No | ⚠️ Depends on state | ✅ Often | Not eligible for FAFSA. Some states (like MA, CA, TX, NY, WA, IL) offer in-state tuition and/or state aid. Apply using the state Dream Act or college aid form. |
| Undocumented / No Legal Status | ❌ No | ⚠️ Depends on state | ✅ Often | Not eligible for federal aid. Some states offer in-state tuition or state scholarships. Should apply using institutional aid or Dream Act forms. |
| F-1 / J-1 / M-1 Visa (International Students) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ⚠️ Limited | Not eligible for federal or state aid. May receive merit scholarships or private awards from colleges. Apply directly through college’s international office or scholarship page. |
| Pending Asylum / Refugee Case | ❌ Not yet | ⚠️ Possibly | ✅ Often | May not qualify for FAFSA until asylum/refugee status is granted. Some colleges offer emergency or need-based aid. |
Summary of Key Financial Aid Applications
| Aid Type | Who Uses It | Website/Form |
| FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) | U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, Refugees/Asylees, T-Visa holders | studentaid.gov |
| State Dream Act Application | DACA, Undocumented, TPS, U-Visa in certain states | Varies by state (e.g., California Dream Act, MA Financial Aid Application for Noncitizens) |
| Institutional Aid Application (College’s Own Form) | All statuses, especially undocumented or international students | Found on each college’s financial aid webpage |
| Private Scholarships | All statuses (citizens and noncitizens) | Use databases like Fastweb, Immigrants Rising, or Scholarships.com |
Massachusetts: In-State Tuition & State Aid — What’s New & How It Works
In August 2023, Massachusetts passed a Tuition Equity Law (amending M.G.L. c. 15A, section 9) which created a “High School Completer” pathway giving many non-U.S. citizens, including undocumented students, access to in-state tuition rates and state need-based aid via a new state application, MASFA (Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid). Mass.gov+3Mass.gov+3Massachusetts Higher Ed+3
Comparison Table: Immigration Status vs. MA Tuition & State Aid Eligibility
| Immigration Status / Situation | Eligible for In-State Tuition in MA? | Eligible for State Need-Based Aid (MASFA) | Notes / Requirements / Limitations in MA |
| U.S. Citizen / Permanent Resident / Eligible Noncitizen | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Use FAFSA and whatever state aid forms are required. Standard state residency rules apply (e.g. continuous MA residence). |
| DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Under the 2023 Tuition Equity Law, DACA recipients (and other qualifying noncitizens) meeting “High School Completer” criteria may access in-state tuition and state aid via MASFA. Presidents’ Alliance+4Massachusetts Higher Ed+4Massachusetts Higher Ed+4 |
| Noncitizen with legal status (TPS, U-visa, T-visa, Asylee, Refugee) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | These statuses typically are considered under “eligible noncitizen” rules. Under the law, students with TPS, U, T, asylum/refugee status may be eligible if they also satisfy the “High School Completer” and other documentation rules. Presidents’ Alliance+4Mount Wachusett Community College+4Massachusetts Higher Ed+4 |
| Undocumented / No legal status | ✅ Possibly, if meeting “High School Completer” criteria | ✅ Possibly, via MASFA | The 2023 law opened in-state tuition & state aid to undocumented students who attend MA high school 3+ years, graduate or get equivalent in MA, and provide required documentation or affidavits. Mount Wachusett Community College+7Mass.gov+7Massachusetts Higher Ed+7 |
| International students on student visas (F-1, J-1, etc.) | ❌ No | ❌ No | Not eligible for MA in-state tuition via this law or state aid. They typically rely on institutional aid or scholarships. Mount Wachusett Community College+2Massachusetts Higher Ed+2 |
What “High School Completer” Means & Key Criteria
To qualify under MA’s Tuition Equity / High School Completer pathway, students must meet all of the following:
- Attend Massachusetts high school for at least 3 academic years. Mass.gov+2Massachusetts Higher Ed+2
- Graduate from a MA high school or obtain an equivalent (GED / HiSET) in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Higher Ed+2Massachusetts Higher Ed+2
- Provide documentation such as a valid Social Security number, an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), or a completed affidavit stating intent to legalize status if eligible, or other immigration documents. Massachusetts Higher Ed+2Massachusetts Higher Ed+2
- Be admitted to a public or private MA college or university program eligible under state law. Massachusetts Higher Ed+1
Once accepted, these students can:
- Be charged in-state tuition at Massachusetts public colleges and universities. Mass.gov+2Massachusetts Higher Ed+2
- Apply for state need-based aid via MASFA (the new state financial aid form for those who cannot file FAFSA) beginning for students entering Fall 2023 + onward. mefa.org+4Mass.gov+4Mass.gov+4
The state government’s press release states that undocumented students who meet the high school completer eligibility can receive state grants and scholarships previously unavailable to them. Mass.gov
Examples & Institutional Notes in Massachusetts
Worcester State University: Confirms that the Tuition Equity Law allows non-citizens (including undocumented) who meet the criteria to access in-state tuition and state aid; such students must submit MASFA and the Tuition Equity eligibility forms.
UMass Dartmouth: DACA and undocumented students may be eligible for in-state tuition if they meet state residency requirements. However, they are not eligible for federal or state financial aid via FAFSA; they can be considered for institutional scholarships. UMass Dartmouth
UMass Lowell: Similarly, undocumented students are not eligible for federal or state aid via FAFSA. But now, those who qualify under MA’s new law may use MASFA for state aid, and they may receive in-state tuition if they meet High School Completer conditions. UMass Lowell
Salem State University: Undocumented students who are eligible under the Tuition Equity law must fill out MASFA and a Tuition Equity Affidavit. Salem State University
Quinsigamond Community College: Under MA’s 2023 law, undocumented students who attended MA high school 3+ years can apply for in-state tuition & state financial aid via MASFA. Quinsigamond Community College
More information coming soon.
Scholarships are Closed.