MASSGrant Plus: Odds, Deadline & Eligibility

MASSGrant Plus is the Massachusetts program that makes the state's public four-year colleges tuition-free for families with modest incomes. For a family of four earning about $85,000 or less, it covers the full cost of tuition and fees at the University of Massachusetts campuses and the nine state universities, plus an allowance of up to $1,200 for books and supplies; it does not cover room and board. Families earning between about $85,000 and $100,000 can have their out-of-pocket tuition and fees cut by up to half if the student attends full time. There is no separate application: a student files the FAFSA, or the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid if their citizenship status keeps them from the FAFSA, and the college's aid office applies the grant. Students need at least 6 credits a term under the lower income line and 12 credits a term in the higher band. The program sits on top of the federal Pell Grant and the regular MASSGrant, which is why the same filing covers all three. Some community college students in the state's free MassEducate program also receive MASSGrant Plus funds in their package.

Other deadlines near this one

How hard is the MASSGrant Plus 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: ~2 hrs 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 rivalsAn income ceiling applies
Fewer rivalsOpen to a single grade level only
More rivalsA large award draws far more applicants

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 MASSGrant Plus?

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
Must attend a college in Massachusetts (the award does not travel out of state)
Open to high school seniors
Household income of $90,000 or less

Confirm these before applying

Full coverage for families earning about $85,000 or less; families between about $85,000 and $100,000 get up to half off out-of-pocket tuition and fees when enrolled full time

Good to know

Only at UMass Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth and Lowell and the nine Massachusetts state universities
At least 6 credits a term (12 in the higher income band)

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 May 1, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around May 1 each year. Applications open October 1 (FAFSA opens). No application beyond the FAFSA (or the MASFA). File early: the state's priority date is May 1 and the college packages the grant from that filing.

FAFSA opens: October 1, 2026
Massachusetts FAFSA priority date: May 1, 2027
Grant applied by the college's aid office: With the award letter

Remind me before May 1 Apply on the official site

Free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge a fee. We use your student's information only to build their plan.

Common questions about the MASSGrant Plus

How much is the MASSGrant Plus worth?

The MASSGrant Plus awards full tuition and fees at UMass and the state universities, plus up to $1,200 for books and is renewable in later years.

When is the MASSGrant Plus deadline?

The current deadline is May 1, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around May 1 each year. Applications open October 1 (FAFSA opens). No application beyond the FAFSA (or the MASFA). File early: the state's priority date is May 1 and the college packages the grant from that filing.

When do MASSGrant Plus applications open?

Applications open October 1 (FAFSA opens), and close May 1, 2027. No application beyond the FAFSA (or the MASFA). File early: the state's priority date is May 1 and the college packages the grant from that filing.

Who is eligible for the MASSGrant Plus?

Key requirements: Must be a resident of Massachusetts; Must attend a college in Massachusetts (the award does not travel out of state); Open to high school seniors; Household income of $90,000 or less.

Does the MASSGrant Plus require an essay?

No essay is required. The application is light on requirements. Expect to spend about 2 hours on it.

How hard is it to win the MASSGrant Plus?

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 qualify and receive, meaning qualifying students generally receive it. Plan on about 2 hrs of paperwork.

Is the MASSGrant Plus free to apply?

Yes. The MASSGrant Plus is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.

MASSGrant Plus