Grants
Very simply, grants are monetary awards that you do not have to repay. Financial Aid Services awards grants to student based on their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) (link to Determining Need). Students with a lower EFC have a greater potential to receive grants.
Federal Grants
Federal Pell Grants
These grants are awarded to students pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Current full-time awards range from $890 to $4,731. Recipients may also use Federal Pell Grants for part-time study. Federal Pell Grants will be awarded after reviewing anticipated enrolled credits for summer, fall and spring to ensure the maximum annual Pell award.
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
ACGs are awarded to Federal Pell Grant recipients for their first and second year of undergraduate study. In addition to being a Federal Pell Grant recipient, students must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a U. S. citizen
- Be enrolled full time in a degree program
- Have completed a rigorous high school program of study, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to receive an award for the sophomore year of study
- Demonstrate financial need
Eligible first-year students receive up to $750 for the academic year and second-year students receive up to $1300 for the academic year. If sufficient funds are not available for all eligible students in an award year, the U.S. Department of Education may reduce the annual award amounts. For more specific information on the rigorous high school programs of study, visit the Federal Student Aid Web site.
National SMART (Science And Mathematics Access to Retain Talent) Grant
Federal Pell Grant recipients may receive SMART Grants for their third and fourth year of study in a degree program in one of the following academic fields:
- Computer science
- Critical foreign language
- Engineering
- Life science
- Mathematics
- Physical science
- Technology
In addition, SMART Grant recipients must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a U. S. citizen
- Be enrolled full time in an eligible degree program
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher each term
- Demonstrate financial need
Eligible third and fourth-year students receive up to $4,000 for the academic year. If sufficient funds are not available for all eligible students in an award year, the U.S. Department of Education may reduce the annual award amount. For more specific information on the eligible degree programs, visit the Federal Student Aid Web site.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
Administered by the UMass Amherst, these usually range from $200 to $2,000. Students enrolled part time may also be eligible for Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants.
Massachusetts Grants
Massgrants
The state of Massachusetts awards Massgrants to undergraduate residents, which range from $300 to $1,700 for students enrolled full time. Part-time degree students may be eligible to receive Massgrants if they enroll for between six and eleven credits per semester. Applicants from Massachusetts apply by filing a FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA before May 1; students from other states should contact their state scholarship agency regarding specific application forms and procedures.
Please note that the Massgrant filing deadline is later than the UMass Amherst March 1 deadline.
Other State Grants
Massachusetts also offer the following grants. The links will take you to full descriptions of the grants on the Office of State Financial Assistance (OSFA) Web site. In order to be considered for some of these grants, students must submit an application or other materials in addition to the FAFSA.
The Foster Child Grant
Massachusetts Part-Time Grant
Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant
University Awards
UMass Amherst administers grants funded through state appropriations, annual gifts from private donors, and University revenues. Awards in 2007-2008 will range from $200 to $8,000.
