Tuition and Financial Aid

The University's Financial Aid Services provides educational financial planning information to students and their families, delivers financial aid funds to qualified students, and offers a variety of services including scholarship search, part-time job locator service, and debt management information. The department supports institutional aid efforts for maximizing enrollment and retention of students. Financial Aid Services is located in Room 255 Whitmore Administration Building; phone: 413-545-0801. The web address is: www.umass.edu/umfa

A. Satisfactory Academic Progress

The U.S. Department of Education requires that students receiving federal financial aid maintain minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate program of study. Meeting the Stockbridge School's satisfactory academic progress policy requires students to meet the minimum grade point average and earned credit hours in their program of study. (See Academic Policies). Failure to meet the minimum grade point average in any one semester will result in academic probation. If a student does not achieve good academic standing after a probationary period, eligibility for federal financial aid will be suspended.

Please note: students must carry a minimum of 12 credits per semester in order to qualify for certain types of financial aid.

B. Filing for Financial Aid

The University uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This standard form is the only application used to determine student eligibility for all need-based financial aid programs.

The FAFSA is available at most high school guidance offices and college financial aid offices. You may also file the FAFSA on line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students should complete the FAFSA after January 1 for the fall semester. The University gives priority consideration to those applications filed before the March 1 deadline; applicants are encouraged to file before February 15. Be sure to write in our Title IV school code: 002221. In the space on the FAFSA requesting information about the institution the student will be attending, Stockbridge students should indicate University of Massachusetts Amherst, rather than Stockbridge School.

Applicants are advised to keep a copy of the FAFSA for their records.

Copies of parents' and student's federal income tax forms and other documents may be requested. This and all information is held in strictest confidence.

C. New England Regional Student Program (NERSP)

Students who are residents of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, or Rhode Island may be eligible for reduced tuition through the New England Regional Student Program (NERSP). Get an overview of how the program works, or visit the NERSP website for more details.

D. Other Sources

Students ineligible for need-based financial aid are encouraged to explore alternative sources of funding, including: installment payment plan, low interest educational loans, and student employment, 413-545-0801; Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC, or National Guard, 413-545-2451. Due to program deadlines, students are encouraged to apply early for any of these options.

E. Scholarships

Over 50 scholarships, both academic and need-based, are available to Stockbridge School students. The web address is http://www.umass.edu/stockbridge/stocky_new/current/scholarships.php:.