UMass Amherst to Provide Free Tuition to Eligible Students

The University of Massachusetts Amherst has announced an aid program that provides free tuition to high-need students from families with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of less than $75,000.

The program expands upon the university’s commitment to high-needs students; 92% of students from Massachusetts households with an AGI of less than $75,000 already had no tuition costs to attend UMass Amherst.

It also draws from existing federal support and additional resources from the Mass Grant Plus program, which was expanded by the Healey-Driscoll Administration in 2023.

“It’s important that students with the greatest financial need understand how affordable a UMass education can be,” said Chancellor Javier Reyes.

To qualify for the program, which also covers mandatory academic fees in addition to tuition, in-state students must be enrolled full-time (12+ credits) in an on-campus undergraduate degree program, meet the UMass Amherst Massachusetts residency classification and be eligible for state aid. High-need criteria is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Massachusetts Application for State Financial aid (MASFA) as being federal Pell Grant eligible and meeting all eligibility requirements.

Student eligibility is reassessed each year, and the aid can be awarded for up to four years of full-time undergraduate work. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with institutional and federal standards. Those who previously received a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for the program.

More information about the program can be found on the Financial Aid website.