All students who are considering attending college in the fall should be working on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms now.
FAFSA forms are required to ensure student eligibility for federal student aid such as federal grants, work-study funds, and loans. Most states, colleges, and universities also use the FAFSA form to determine financial aid eligibility, as do many private scholarship and financial aid providers.
Students whose immigration status prevents them from qualifying for federal aid might still be eligible for aid through the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA), to attend a public college or university in Massachusetts. Students who do not have permanent residency in the United States are encouraged to speak with their school counselor about MASFA or other financial aid options.
Reminder: Massachusetts now offers free community college to state residents, regardless of income, if they complete and submit a FAFSA application.
Additional resources can be found here:
Go Higher is the Commonwealth’s initiative to share information about access and affordability at public institutions of higher education in Massachusetts. Go Higher offers paths that make higher education more affordable, including free community college, free or affordable four-year degrees, career-connected scholarships, and more.
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in collaboration with the Department of Higher Education and the Executive Office of Education, has identified a number of FAFSA-related resources that may be helpful.
The Department of Higher Education’s Office of Student Financial Assistance is the Commonwealth’s “go to” on resources concerning student financial aid.
The federal government’s FAFSA website includes steps for families, and entities such as the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) provide information and continuing supports during the school year for educators, counselors, administrators, students and their families.