SCHOLARSHIPS AND
FINANCIAL AID
Applying for Financial Assistance
The process of applying for financial assis-
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
tance is straightforward. To be considered
is dedicated to enrolling students with
for all forms of assistance, the FAFSA must
diverse interests and backgrounds in each
be completed by March 1. Students should
entering class, and to be an affordable
provide their social security numbers
option for all qualified applicants who want
on their MassArt application for admis-
to join our community.
sion so that family financial data may
Calendar
be downloaded electronically. Be sure
to list MassArt as one of the schools to
Starting January 1: File the Free Application
receive your ISIR. If a student is asked to
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at
complete federal verification paperwork
www.fafsa.ed.gov.
and provide federal income tax returns,
MassArt’s school code is 002180.
it should be submitted promptly so that
February 15: Priority deadline for merit
the aid for which a student is eligible may
scholarships.
be confirmed. MassArt does not require
an institutional financial aid application
March 1: Priority deadline for being
and generally does not request forms that
considered for all forms of aid.
other schools require. Your financial aid
May 1: FAFSA deadline for Massachusetts
will be awarded soon after you have been
residents to be considered for state
accepted at MassArt. It really is
grant aid.
that simple.
Contact Us
Massachusetts College of Art and Design, the nation’s only
ships are quite competitive. Applicants who
For more information about scholar-
independent public college of art and design, provides a top-quality
have completed a FAFSA and are strong
ship opportunities and financial aid, visit
candidates will automatically be reviewed
education at an affordable cost.
MassArt.edu or contact the Office of
for awards for which they are eligible.
Student Financial Assistance.
MassArt offers financial aid to admitted students who qualify.
(617) 879-7849
Almost 75% of MassArt’s students receive some form of financial
financialaid@massart.edu
assistance to help pay for their educations; about 45% receive grant
On the other hand, MassArt merit scholar-
Students must be high academic achievers
with strong portfolios to be given serious
consideration. Take the time to submit
application materials—especially your
and scholarship aid totaling $4 million. The typical first-year financial
portfolio—that fully represent your accom-
aid package—usually a combination of grants, low-interest loans, and
plishments and potential and demonstrate
part-time employment—is more than $10,000.
what you will bring to MassArt.
To receive fullest consideration for merit
scholarships, complete your FAFSA by
February 15. The scholarship committee begins reviewing accepted applicants
around March 1.
621 HUNTINGTON AVENUE BOSTON, MA 02115 USA
For more information
about financial aid visit
MassArt.edu.
T 617 879 7222 F 617 879 7250
MassArt.edu
THE 1 and only
freestanding
PUBLIC art
college in the
UNITED STATES
For many families, borrowing is a means by
Scholarship and Grant Opportunities
which they may supplement other forms of
financial assistance. Loans are a part of most
For Massachusetts Residents
Tuition waivers and need-based grants:
For Out-of-State Residents
students’ financial aid packages. The Office
As a state-supported institution, MassArt
Need-based grants for applicants from other
of Student Financial Assistance participates
participates in many, but not all, of the
states are primarily limited to federal financial
as a direct lender with the Stafford and PLUS
Commonwealth’s tuition-waiver programs.
aid programs such as Pell and SEOG grants.
federal loan programs. If borrowing through
Students who qualify are able to have their
Two types of institutional scholarships are
these loan programs is not enough, some
tuition waived for as long as they qualify for
awarded based on a combination of academic
families consider private loans, commonly
For Massachusetts residents there is no
the waiver (fees not included). Some state
merit and financial need.
called alternative loans, to help manage
better value in the country. Many
and institutional grants may cover fees and
Massachusetts residents are able to meet
other educational costs for students with
their financial obligation to the college
financial need.
Our Commitment
through a combination of federal, state, and
institutional assistance. During the 2007-08
academic year, nearly 180 Massachusetts
students received grants and scholarships
that exceeded the cost of tuition and fees.
Scholarship is the highest award for out-ofstate applicants. It covers all tuition and fee
college costs. Families must consider a
number of factors to determine a reasonable
level of debt and should feel free to call
the Office of Student Financial Assistance
charges and is renewable for up to four years.
scholarships based on a combination of
Each year, the selection committee identifies
academic merit, artistic potential, and finan-
up to six trustees’ scholars, top academic
Another way a student can help pay for
cial need. Award amounts range from a few
students with outstanding portfolios who also
college is by working part-time to cover
hundred dollars to the full cost of tuition and
have demonstrated financial need.
personal expenses, books, and supplies.
For residents of other states MassArt offers
fees; a limited number of grants covering the
some scholarship assistance, but resources
cost of campus housing also are available.
are more limited. Applicants from outside
The Senator Paul Tsongas Scholarship is the
of Massachusetts must be diligent—not only
highest merit-based award for Massachusetts
in applying for need-based aid, but also
residents and covers all tuition and fees for up
in researching alternative sources of
to four years. The admissions office selects at
scholarships and loans.
least five Tsongas scholars each year from the
academic records and strong portfolios; pref-
“Financial aid not only
The Trustees’ Scholarship: The Trustees’
Scholarships: MassArt awards a variety of
pool of accepted applicants with outstanding
The Presidential Scholarship: Presidential
Scholarships can vary from $4,000 to $15,000
annually and are renewable for up to four
years. Each year the scholarship committee
selects approximately twenty-five presidential
scholars, applicants with strong academic
records and portfolios; preference is given to
candidates with financial need.
erence is given to students with significant
For All Students
financial need.
Students also may be considered for an
assortment of institutional scholarships
based on various academic and demographic
makes it possible for me to be here, it
criteria. Eligible applicants are identified
allows me to focus on my art and academic
during the application review process, and
work by reducing my financial concerns.”
names are forwarded to the scholarship
MassArt student
Borrowing and Working
committee for consideration. Scholarship
amounts range from $1000 to $5000 per
year. Some of these awards are renewable,
and some are for one year only.
with questions.
Each student who has financial need will be
provided with a federal work-study allotment
of $1,000. Essentially a student may work
five hours per week for the entire year, or
ten hours per week for a term, to earn these
funds. In addition to campus jobs, many
students look to the greater Boston area
for work. If students want to work, they will
find many opportunities are available close
to campus.
75%
Almost 75% of
students receive
some form of
financial
assistance
$10,000
The typical firstyear package is
more than $10,000.
$4M
almost 45% of
students receive
grant and
scholarship aid
totaling $4 million