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Undergraduate Admissions

MassTransfer

About MassTransfer

With over 350 qualifying programs across our 15 partnerships, you can earn an associate degree at your local community college and transfer to UMass Amherst through the MassTransfer program!

From your first day at your community college until you enroll at UMass Amherst, you’ll receive support from your UMass Amherst transfer counselor. Pursue your education and plan for your future – all while saving money and making progress towards a bachelor’s degree. You can even earn MassTransfer benefits once you transfer.

MassTransfer students with a 2.5+ final community college GPA are guaranteed admission into a mapped or linked program. Some majors are selective and require a higher GPA and/or prerequisite classes. 

Students who are not in good academic, financial, and/or disciplinary status at all previously attended colleges and/or have a criminal history may not be guaranteed admission. 

For other students, click the link appropriate below to learn how to apply: 

Along with saving money by starting at a community college, you can earn a MassTransfer tuition credit, participate in Commonwealth Commitment, and apply for scholarships.

MassTransfer Tuition Credit

MassTransfer students who graduate with an approved associate degree with a 3.0+ GPA and enroll at UMass Amherst within one year are eligible for the MassTransfer Tuition Credit. 

  • The credit is valued at $1,714 per year ($857 per semester) for full-time students. Part-time students receive a reduced amount based on their credit hours, which is determined after course registration. 
  • It is awarded for your first two semesters of consecutive enrollment at UMass Amherst. 
  • To receive the tuition credit for a second year, you must earn a 3.0+ GPA during your first year at UMass Amherst.
  • MassTransfer tuition credit is given for a maximum of four consecutive semesters. 

Commonwealth Commitment

Commonwealth Commitment participants receive a freeze on mandatory tuition and fees at UMass, as well as a 10% rebate for each semester completed with a 3.0+ GPA. To learn more about the program terms and requirements, visit the Department of Higher Education’s website

MassTransfer Scholarships

Need-based scholarships are available to MassTransfer students and will be awarded in a student's financial aid package. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is helpful as it provides important information about one’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). 

To be given full consideration for a scholarship, your MassTransfer Application must be completed by the priority date of March 1 (fall) or November 5 (spring). 

Available scholarships include the Community College Academic Honors Scholarship, Flagship Award, and Honors-to-Honors Scholarship. Visit our scholarships page to learn more about the requirements. 
 

We’ll accept up to 75 semester transfer credits, and MassTransfer students earn least 60 semester transfer credits, as well as credit for all General Education Foundation/STEM General Education Foundation classes! 

Visit the Registrar’s website to learn more about transferring credit to UMass Amherst. 

General Education Foundation* 

Students who complete the General Education Foundation (formerly called the MassTransfer Block) only need to satisfy the following UMass Amherst Gen Ed requirements: 

  • Junior Year Writing 
  • Integrative Experience 

Students earning the STEM General Education Foundation will need to fulfill the courses listed above and our U.S. Diversity and Global Diversity Gen Ed requirements, if they have not done so already.

*Please note: these are not built into all associate degree programs. Some students will need to fulfill UMass Amherst’s General Education Requirements, especially if you are transferring from an engineering program. 
 

Incoming MassTransfer students are eligible to sign up for classes before other transfer students.

Meet With a Transfer Counselor

Have questions? If you are a student at a Massachusetts community college, please use the link below to schedule an appointment with your transfer counselor.