OVERVIEW PROGRAMS AND TUITION ADMISSIONSFINANCIAL AID

University of Massachusetts (UMass) Financial Aid and Scholarships 2026

The University of Massachusetts - Amherst, is a nationally-ranked public research university which offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The university sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, 90 miles from Boston, and 175 miles from New York City.

The university is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

The university established its online branch in hopes of offering high-quality, affordable,

University of Massachusetts (UMass) Financial Aid and Scholarships

Students Receiving Aid Percent of Students Receiving Financial Aid.

73%

Total Aid Amount Average Total Aid Awarded per year.

$166.711M

Financial Aid Official Website

www.umass.edu/umfa/

The University of Massachusetts offers many scholarships and grants of different types, such as need-based, on scholastic achievement, and athletic grants. Merit-aid is awarded only on the basis of academic achievement rather than financial need. Applicants need to file a FAFSA first before proceeding with the aid applications. Below are the aids that are awarded at the University of Massachusetts:

Scholarships

Chancellor's, Director's and Dean's Scholarships and Awards: UMass Amherst Undergraduate Admissions offers awards to admitted freshmen whose academic and personal achievements are especially strong.
Community Scholarship and Award: The Community Scholarship and Award is offered to in-state applicants who are low income and/or who are first-generation college attendees. The scholarship committee takes into consideration a student's academic record and level of academic challenge; however, the review also includes factors such as school activities, community service, and work experience.
Flagship Award: The Flagship Award is offered to in-state applicants who are low income and/or who are first-generation college attendees. The scholarship committee takes into consideration a student's academic record and level of academic challenge; however, the review also includes factors such as school activities, community service, and work experience.
Honors-to-Honors Scholarship: The Honors-to-Honors Scholarship is for Massachusetts community college honors students entering the UMass Amherst Commonwealth Honors College. Students must be in an approved MassTransfer program and are encouraged to complete their community college honors program.
Academic Honors Scholarship: A $5,000 scholarship is awarded annually at the Massachusetts Science Fair to a top-scoring winner. This scholarship may be combined with a tuition credit.
Community College Academic Honors Scholarship: This scholarship is offered to in-state residents graduating from a Massachusetts community college with strong academic records. The award is based on both GPA and overall academic rigour.

To know more about scholarships, visit the official financial-aid page of the university here.

Grants

Federal Grants: Federal Pell Grant is available to undergraduate students seeking their first bachelor's degree and who meet all other eligibility criteria required for receipt of federal assistance
Massachusetts Grant: Massachusetts has a variety of financial aid programs available. For information about Massachusetts grants, scholarships, and tuition credits visit Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.

Financial Aid Breakdown

Student Receiving Aid

Federal Grant Aid

22%

State Grant Aid

23%

Institution Grant Aid

82%

Pell Grant

22%

Average Aid Awarded

Federal Grant Aid

$4,970

State Grant Aid

$1,793

Institution Grant Aid

$7,869

Pell Grant

$4,609

Over 90% of the student body receives some form of financial assistance at the University of Massachusetts. The university manages approximately $160 million in student financial aid for eligible students, from a variety of sources.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the financial aid received by the students at UMass:

Almost 22% of students receive the Federal grant aid of $4,970.
Pell grants are received by approximately 22% of students and the amount offered is around $4,609.
The State grant aid is received by approximately 23% of the students with a total average amount of $1,793.
The institutional grant aid is received by almost 82% of the students with the total average amount of $7,869.

Federal Aid based on Family Income

Family Income

Average Federal Aid Per Year

Under $30,000

$17,493

$30,001 - $48,000

$16,184

$48,001 - $75,000

$12,540

$75,001 - $110,000

$6,837

Over $110,000

$2,327

Students at UMass receive financial-aid based on their contested needs. Below is the consolidated data on how much financial aid a student should expect based on their family income bracket:

Students whose family income is below $30,000 or fall between $30,001 and $48,000 may expect an average aid amount of $17,493 and $16,184 respectively. The average aid for students whose family income is in the bracket of $48,001 and $75,000 may expect an average aid of $12,540.

Higher-income brackets receive an average of $6,837 and $2,327 for the income brackets of $75,001 to $110,000 and $110,000 plus respectively.

Other Colleges In Massachusetts

Smith College

Northampton, Massachusetts 4 years Private Not-For-Profit

Worcester State University

Worcester, Massachusetts 4 years Public

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts 4 years Private Not-For-Profit

Other Public Colleges

Cerritos College

Online Education at Cerritos College

University offers a diverse range of programs both online and offline. Offline courses are offered as they are cost effective and have the flexibility of the schedule.