I'm looking into community colleges in Massachusetts and want to know what grants and scholarships are available. Any pointers on where to look or specific programs I should consider?
Sure, I'd be glad to help guide you in your search for grants and scholarships for Massachusetts community colleges!
To begin, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If eligible, you'll have access to federal grants like the Pell Grant, as well as to state grants such as the MassGrant, awarded by the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance. The MassGrant program provides need-based financial assistance to undergraduate students who are enrolled in at least part-time in certificate, associate's, or bachelor's programs.
Additionally, Massachusetts community colleges have their own scholarships available for students. You can explore these on their individual college websites, which have sections dedicated to financial aid information. Often, these colleges have a system in place where you can apply for all available scholarships with one single application.
Beyond colleges themselves, other state specific programs include the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship and the Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship, both offered by the state of Massachusetts. They are based on academic achievement and only for high school students though, so if you're a mature student you might have to look for other options.
For non-state specific scholarships, a good resource is Appily, a scholarship search engine, where you enter your details and are then matched with scholarships you are eligible for. Be careful of deadlines, and remember that every award, no matter how small, can add up.
Always explore all of your options and apply to as many scholarships as you can. Good luck with your search!
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