Best Scholarships in Massachusetts 2026: State Grants
Massachusetts scholarships 2026: MASSGrant Plus, Gilbert Grant, Harvard/MIT full-need aid, BU Trustee Scholarship, Herter Memorial, and state financial aid
Best Scholarships in Massachusetts 2026
Massachusetts is home to some of the world's top universities and offers robust state financial aid through the MASSGrant Plus program and institutional generosity. With schools like MIT, Harvard, and Amherst meeting 100% of demonstrated need, Massachusetts students — and those attending MA schools — have exceptional scholarship opportunities.
State-Funded Scholarships & Grants
| Program | Award | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| MASSGrant Plus | Up to $1,500/year (public) or $2,500 (private) | MA resident, financial need (EFC under $12,500) |
| Gilbert Grant | Up to $2,500/year | MA resident at private MA institution, need-based |
| Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship | Up to 50% of cost of attendance | MA 10th graders demonstrating overcoming adversity |
| MA No Interest Loan (NIL) | Up to $20,000 (0% interest) | MA resident, need-based, at MA institution |
Elite University Financial Aid
Harvard meets 100% of need — families earning under $85K pay nothing; under $150K average $0-$18K/year. MIT likewise meets full need with no loans for families under $140K. Amherst College covers 100% of need. Boston University offers Trustee Scholarships (full tuition, ~30 awarded) and Presidential Scholarship ($25,000). Northeastern provides merit awards from $10,000-$28,000. Tufts meets full demonstrated need for all admitted students.
Application Strategy
- File FAFSA by May 1 for state grants (priority deadline is earlier)
- Many elite MA schools also require CSS Profile — submit both
- Herter Scholarship requires 10th grade application through school counselor
- MA state schools (UMass system) are significantly cheaper with state grants stacked
- Search mass.edu/osfa for the official Massachusetts scholarship database
Related: Best State Scholarships & Grants Guide | Fully Funded Scholarships | Complete Scholarships Guide
Free Weekly Newsletter
Never Miss a Deadline Again
Scholarship alerts, application tips, and FAFSA reminders delivered every Tuesday. Free, useful, no fluff.
Subscribe Free →No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
★ Key Takeaways
Source: The College Monk — Based on data from 3,837 U.S. universities. Last updated July 2026.
Want to boost your college admissions odds?
Explore our free tools: College Comparison and Admissions Calculator — built on data from 3,800+ universities.
Compare Colleges →Admissions Calculator →📘 The Scholarship Playbook — $19
50+ winning essay examples, application timelines, and strategies from scholarship reviewers. Instant PDF download.
Need to compare schools side-by-side? Use our free College Comparison Tool to see tuition, acceptance rates, and outcomes for any two colleges.