A Note from the Director

Welcome to Financial Aid Services. I want to assure all students and families that we are committed to helping you find financial resources to pay for your UMass Amherst education and that financial aid is available for everyone. This web site will serve as an important guide as you pursue and manage those resources, helping to make the process clearer and more accessible.

The most important step for all students is to apply for financial aid. Whether the cost of a UMass Amherst education seems beyond your means, or you just need assistance in the form of a loan or campus job, complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. This is the only application necessary, and the information it provides will enable UMass Amherst to determine whether you qualify for grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, loans, or part-time employment to help defray your educational expenses. No matter your financial need, you must submit the FAFSA to be considered.

In planning your financing strategy, explore all available options and be sure you understand how to apply for financial aid, as well as all of the benefits, requirements, and responsibilities of receiving it. We hope this website will serve as a resource throughout your time at UMass Amherst. Return often as you maintain your aid from year to year, fulfill specific needs that arise, manage your finances, and prepare for graduation and life beyond our campus. If you still have questions after viewing this website, please contact Financial Aid Services. Our staff is always available to assist you.

Let us help make your UMass Amherst degree a reality!

Suzanne Peters
Director of Financial Aid Services