John and Abigail Adams Scholarship
Offered by Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance · Free to apply
A tuition credit worth up to eight semesters at a Massachusetts state college or university, awarded purely on state test performance rather than an application. For the class of 2016 onward, a student must score Advanced on one of the three high school state assessments in English Language Arts, Mathematics, or Science and Technology/Engineering, score Proficient or Advanced on the other two, and have a combined score ranking in the top 25 percent of their school district. That district-relative ranking is the part families miss: the bar is set inside your own district, not statewide, so strong students in strong districts can miss while comparable students elsewhere qualify. Massachusetts residency of at least one year, full-time enrollment, and a FAFSA or MASFA are also required.
How hard is the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship to win?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives.
- Estimated odds
- qualifying students generally receive it
- Paperwork
- ~1 hr to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- Fewer rivalsOpen only to Massachusetts residents
- Fewer rivalsRequires a top 25% class rank
How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Must be a resident of Massachusetts
- Open to high school seniors and current college students
- Ranked in the top 25% of their high school class
- Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card)
- Class of 2016 or later: score Advanced on one of the three high school state assessments (English Language Arts, Mathematics, or STE) and Proficient or Advanced on the remaining two
- Combined MCAS score must rank in the top 25% of your school district, not the state
- Must physically reside in Massachusetts for at least one year as of the start of the enrolled term, with intent to remain
- Must enroll full time, at least 12 credits or the equivalent, at an eligible Massachusetts state college or university
- Must complete the FAFSA or the Massachusetts equivalent (MASFA)
- Must not have received a prior bachelor’s degree or its equivalent
- The award is a tuition credit only; it does not cover mandatory fees, which at many Massachusetts campuses exceed tuition
What the application takes
No essay, recommendation letters, or transcript are required. This is one of the lighter applications in the directory.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is June 30, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around June 30 each year. Applications open October 1, when the FAFSA opens. Eligibility is decided by 10th-grade state test results, years before college. There is no application to submit; the work is making sure the FAFSA or MASFA is filed and you enrol at an eligible Massachusetts public campus.
- FAFSA opens for the next school year
- October 1, 2026
- Federal FAFSA filing deadline
- June 30, 2027
Does your student actually qualify?
See if your student qualifies in 30 seconds. Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
Common questions about the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship
How much is the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship worth?
The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship awards tuition credit for up to eight semesters at a Massachusetts state college or university and is renewable in later years.
When is the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship deadline?
The current deadline is June 30, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around June 30 each year. Applications open October 1, when the FAFSA opens. Eligibility is decided by 10th-grade state test results, years before college. There is no application to submit; the work is making sure the FAFSA or MASFA is filed and you enrol at an eligible Massachusetts public campus.
When do John and Abigail Adams Scholarship applications open?
Applications open October 1, when the FAFSA opens, and close June 30, 2027. Eligibility is decided by 10th-grade state test results, years before college. There is no application to submit; the work is making sure the FAFSA or MASFA is filed and you enrol at an eligible Massachusetts public campus.
Who is eligible for the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of Massachusetts; Open to high school seniors and current college students; Ranked in the top 25% of their high school class; Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card).
Does the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship require an essay?
No essay is required. The application is light on requirements. Expect to spend about 1 hour on it.
How hard is it to win the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives. Solyo classifies this award as formula-based, meaning qualifying students generally receive it. Plan on about 1 hr of paperwork.
Is the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship free to apply?
Yes. The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
More state grants & programs
- 802 Opportunity GrantFull tuition and the $100 administrative fee at CCV (last-dollar)
- Access Missouri Financial Assistance ProgramVaries by SAI and school type per statutory table (amounts prorated if funding is short)
- Alabama Student Grant ProgramUp to $3,000/yr ($1,500 per semester; actual amount depends on state funding)
- Alaska Education Grant$500-$4,000/yr based on need and enrollment level
- Alaska Performance Scholarship$3,500-$7,000/yr depending on tier
- Arizona Promise ProgramFull tuition & mandatory fees at Arizona public universities (last-dollar)
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.