InstitutionalCollegiate/Graduate Scholars
SWE · $1.6M
Open to undergraduates entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year and new or continuing graduate students.
Massachusetts has some of the highest college costs in the country — but also some of the most generous institutional aid policies, particularly at its private universities. Boston University, MIT, and Harvard all meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students. The state's MASSGrant and MASSGrant Plus programs provide need-based aid to residents attending Massachusetts colleges, with combined awards up to approximately $1,800 annually. The Adams Scholarship covers tuition (not fees) at UMass system schools for students who score in the top 25% of MCAS statewide — a useful supplement. Massachusetts is the only state where multiple Division I athletic programs (BU, BC, Harvard, UMass) coexist with the Ivy League (Harvard) within 100 miles. Student-athletes in hockey especially find Massachusetts uniquely competitive, with BU and BC both running storied Division I programs. For need-based students, the private schools' institutional aid programs dwarf what state grants provide.
File your FAFSA at studentaid.gov by May 1, 2026 to maximize state aid eligibility.
These programs are available to students in every state and can be stacked with Massachusetts state grants.
SWE · $1.6M
Open to undergraduates entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year and new or continuing graduate students.
Bold.org · $665.7k
$665,729
Bold.org · $543.3k
$543,303
U.S. Department of Education · Up to $500k
Forgiveness program for loans of those who work full-time in qualifying public service jobs. 10 years of payments required.
National YoungArts Foundation · $500k
High school & college students focused on performing, visual & literary arts.
Women’s Sports Foundation and ESPN · $430k
Grants aimed at increasing access and opportunity for underserved girls in sports.
Navy · $300k
Medical students including those studying pediatrics
United States Bowling Congress · $300k
Must enroll in an undergraduate program at an accredited college/university.
Bold.org · $270.4k
Khalil Mack 52 Scholars Program
Breakthrough Prize Foundation · $250k
Competition for students ages 13-18 to create a two-minute video explaining a big idea in physics, mathematics, or life sciences. Winner receives $250,000 scholarship plus prizes for their teacher and school.
Deadline: Sep 15, 2026
Posse Foundation · Up to $250k
Full-tuition leadership scholarship for nominated high school juniors/seniors. Students attend college in supportive cohort of 10.
Conseil de Recherches en Sciences Naturelles et en Génie · $250k
Associate Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Degree, High School, Professional Development, Vocational
Society for Science · Up to $250k
Oldest, most prestigious science competition for HS seniors.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation · Up to $200k
Last-dollar full-ride scholarship for minority high school seniors with exceptional academic achievement from low-income households.
National Physical Science Consortium · $156k–$200k
US citizens with a GPA of at least 3.0 and relevant Bachelor's or Master's degree holders who have been out of school for at least 12 months
American Cancer Society · $165k
Graduate Degree
Physicians' Services Incorporated Foundation · $100k–$150k
Graduate Degree
American Cancer Society · $135k
Professional Development
Marshall University · $125k
First-time, full-time freshmen in all majors; recommended ACT 30, SAT 1360, GPA 3.5.
Marshall University · $125k
Open to all first-time, full-time freshmen in all majors, recommend 30 ACT, 1360 SAT, and 3.5 high school GPA.
University of Missouri – Kansas City (Henry W. Bloch School of Management) · $125k
Business management degree candidates enrolled at the school.
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine · $120k
N/A
Goldman Philanthropic Partnerships and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund · $100k
Academic physicians continuing research at accredited medical schools.
Washington Indian Gaming Association · $100k
To promote tribal self-sufficiency by advancing student potential and broadening higher education opportunities.
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation · $100k
Graduate Degree, Professional Development
American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases · $50k–$100k
Fellows performing clinical research and/or translational research in a liver-related area.
Davidson Institute · $25k–$100k
Awarded to gifted and high-achieving students who have completed a significant piece of work.
Deadline: Feb 12, 2027
Bush Foundation · $100k
N/A
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) · Up to $100k
Scholarships for NCAA Division I football (85 scholarships per program). Highly competitive recruiting.
Siemens Foundation · $1k–$100k
Students competing in regional and national rounds.
| Scholarship | Award | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Breakthrough Junior Challenge | $250k | Sep 15, 2026 |
MIT competes in Division III, which prohibits athletic scholarships. However, MIT meets 100% of demonstrated financial need through grants — students from families earning under $90,000 pay nothing. Harvard (also D-I Ivy League) does not offer athletic scholarships but similarly meets 100% of need. For families earning under $75,000, Harvard's aid is completely free.
The Adams Scholarship covers mandatory fees (not tuition) at UMass campuses for Massachusetts students who scored in the top 25% of MCAS test-takers in their grade. It has declined in value relative to full tuition in recent years — it covers approximately $1,700 in fees annually, which is less impactful than it was when launched.
Massachusetts' FAFSA priority deadline is May 1. However, individual colleges (especially private universities) typically have much earlier institutional aid deadlines — often November 1 (Early Decision) or February 1 (Regular Decision). Always check your specific college's financial aid priority date, not just the state deadline.
Yes. BU's Trustee Scholarship covers full tuition for exceptional academic applicants. BU also offers merit Dean's Scholarships for students with strong GPAs and SAT scores. Athletic scholarships are available across BU's 24 Division I sports. The BU Grant (need-based) is awarded through FAFSA and can stack with merit awards.
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