Exclusive Scholarships for Massachusetts Students to Apply for in 2024

This list of Massachusetts scholarships showcases exclusive new scholarships that can't be found anywhere else. You'll find a variety of scholarship opportunities with upcoming deadlines through the year.

About scholarships in Massachusetts

When preparing for college, Massachusetts students should first check local scholarships before turning to national scholarships. Massachusetts currently provides seven grants, nine scholarships, and 17 tuition waivers to eligible students.

The Massachusetts state legislature has detailed descriptions of these financial aid programs on their site, Office of Student Financial Assistance, clarifying which scholarship program or cash grant program is need-based versus merit-based, which is for a full-time or part-time student, and which applies to private or public institutions. Student financial assistance is available to students who have demonstrated financial need.

Affording higher education in Massachusetts

Although these financial aid offerings allow more students to afford higher education, 1 million borrowers in the Bay State area still rely on some federal and state loans. Loans can prove difficult to pay off and can leave borrowers in debt for years, decades, or even the rest of their lives. 

Due to high interest rates, some borrowers struggle to pay down the balance of their debt and encounter financial hardship due to their loans. Being stuck in debt can force many graduates to put off other big endeavors, such as buying a home, attending graduate school, or even starting a family.

Massachusetts students and student debt

In January 2021, state legislators passed the Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights, standardizing the methods of loan servicers and borrower protection rights.

The average amount of federal and private student debt for a Massachusetts resident is $31,821, as compared to the national average of $36,689. Though this average places Massachusetts slightly below the average borrower in the United States, this debt is still significant and often difficult to repay.

Colleges in Massachusetts

Massachusetts offers many postsecondary campuses; 15 being community colleges and six, public state universities, including Bridgewater State University, Salem State University, and Westfield State University. There are also three specialized public institutions: Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Lastly, Massachusetts also houses four, public University of Massachusetts campuses in Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, and Lowell.

The Massachusetts scholarships offered by the state are more available to students planning to attend public institutions and hold a high grade point average (GPA). Such students can utilize the need-based Cash Grant Program and/or the MASSGrant and MASSGrant Plus programs to cover some college fees and tuition.

The private institutions in Massachusetts include not only the Ivy League school Harvard University but also the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tufts University, and Seven Sisters institutions Smith College, Wellesley College, and Mount Holyoke College.

Further scholarship assistance

If eligible students receive financial aid but are still needing funding for the academic year, Bold.org has curated scholarships to provide financial assistance for both graduating seniors and college students to attend a four-year accredited college.

The best scholarships for a Massachusetts resident

Bold.org is the largest independent scholarship program that awards financial assistance to eligible applicants with no expectation of repayment. Bold.org is all about providing financial support in scholarships and grants to students in every corner.

There are hundreds of exclusive scholarships available on Bold.org with new opportunities created every day. Regardless of the intended field of study, student demographic, or even intrinsic values, there are scholarships that every student is eligible for. Our recommendation is to apply for as many scholarships as you can to maximize your winnings.

The following scholarships are strictly for permanent legal residents of Massachusetts who are seeking financial assistance. With new scholarships dropping every week, be sure to check back soon for new Massachusetts options!

Rita A. Clark Future Educator Award

This scholarship grants $804 to one winner. Applicants are either high school seniors or undergraduate students who are pursuing careers in education. To apply, the applicant must write a 400-600 word essay, answering the following prompt: "Tell us about yourself and how you will make a positive impact in the education field." The deadline is May 31st.

Rajesh Aggarwal Scholarship for Scientific Studies

This scholarship grants $2,898 each to six winners; three from Massachusetts and three from New Jersey. Applicants are low-income high school juniors or seniors pursuing higher education in a science-oriented discipline. To apply, applicants must write an essay about the combination of free thinking and science by June 29th.

SKH Empowering Scholarship for Women

This scholarship grants $500 each to two female winners. Applicants carry a GPA of 3.2 or higher, are high school seniors or undergraduate students, and pursuing higher education in business. To apply, applicants must write an essay about how their career will help their community. Apply by the June 29th deadline to be considered!.

Leon M. Braswell III Book Scholarship

This scholarship grants $1,500 to one winner annually. Applicants are BIPOC high school seniors who will be first-generation college students. Because this scholarship is available to students in the northeast, those residing in New England, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey are eligible. To apply, applicants must "create a submission that explains diversity to someone who has never heard of the word/concept. Creativity is encouraged, so feel free to submit original poems, essays, videos, song lyrics, art, etc." The deadline is July 20th.

John F. Puffer, Sr. Smile Scholarship

This scholarship grants $1,000 each to three winners who exemplify the principles of S.M.I.L.E., or shine, motivate, inspire, lead, and excel. Applicants are high school seniors who hold a GPA of 2.8 or higher. To apply, applicants must write a 400-600 word essay, answering the prompt: "How have you excelled in your education? How have your actions impacted your ability to leave a legacy on your family and community?" The deadline is July 30th.

Francis "Slip" Madigan Scholarship

This scholarship awards $1,000 to one winner who resonates with the importance of education. Applicants are high school seniors who will be first-generation college students. To apply, applicants must write a 400-600 word essay, answering the prompt: "Why is going to college so important to you, and as a first-generation college student, how will this scholarship help you with your future plans?" The deadline is September 1st.

Additional scholarships for Massachusetts students

While the above scholarships are state-specific, the following scholarships are also well-suited for New England residents. The scholarship opportunities that are selected span across subjects of mental health, community service, and STEM. The list is organized based on the nearest deadline, education level, and eligibility criteria.

Scholarships for high school students in Massachusetts

High school students can start applying for scholarships as soon as they're fourteen years old. By starting early, students can maximize their earning potential to best cover their future financial need. From academic merit scholarships to music education scholarships to computer science scholarships, there are thousands of unique opportunities available for all kinds of students.

Dan Leahy Scholarship Fund

This scholarship awards $1,500 each to two winners. Applicants are high school or community college students involved in the extracurriculars of speech and debate or mock trial. To apply, applicants must write a 400-600 word essay, answering the prompt. The deadline is May 20th.

M.R. Brooks Scholarship

This scholarship awards $1,000 to one winner. Applicants are LGBTQ+ high school or undergraduate students who are single parents or are high school or undergraduate students and children of an LGBTQ+ single parent. To apply, applicants must write a 400-600 word essay, answering the prompt. The deadline is July 1st.

ProjectGiveBack Scholarship for Black Women

This scholarship awards $1,000 each to two winners. Applicants are Black women and high school students who have demonstrated excellent leadership skills and a commitment to give back to the Black community. To apply, applicants must first submit a 2-minute video talking through how her goals/aspirations align with the spirit of ProjectGiveBack, and second, write a 500-1000 word essay, responding to one of two questions given. The deadline is July 26th.

Carrie Lee Peyton Amazing Educator Scholarship

This scholarship awards $625 each to two winners who are interested in studying education and/or employed as current teachers. Applicants are BIPOC high school juniors or seniors or BIPOC graduates with student debt. To apply, applicants must write a 400-600 word essay, answering the student or teacher prompt. The deadline is May 19th.

Learner Education Women in Mathematics Scholarship

This scholarship awards $1,000 to one winner every six months. Applicants are high school or undergraduate female students who are pursuing a career in a math-related field. To apply, applicants must write a 400-600 word essay, answering the prompt. The deadline is August 1st.

Lee Avenatti Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship awards $2,500 to one winner. Applicants are high school or undergraduate students within the LGBTQ+ community who have spent time in a group home or foster care. To apply, applicants must write a 400-600 word essay answering the prompt. The deadline is August 1st.

Massachusetts scholarships for high school seniors

Graduating seniors can take advantage of even more scholarship opportunities. In addition to scholarships for all high school students, seniors can benefit from the exclusive scholarships below! 

Abby's First-Generation College Student Scholarship

This scholarship awards $500 to one winner. Applicants are high school seniors with a 3.0 GPA or higher, involved in sports or extracurriculars, and planning to attend a four-year university as a first-generation student. To apply, applicants must write a 300-600 word essay, answering the prompt. The deadline is June 1st.

Jake Thomas Williams Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship awards $2,000 to one winner. Applicants are high school student seniors, intending to pursue higher education in social work, therapy, or psychology with a particular interest in mental health or suicide prevention. To apply, applicants must write a 400-600 word essay, answering the prompt. The deadline is June 1st.

Stephan L. Daniels Lift As We Climb Scholarship

This scholarship awards $5,000 to one winner. Applicants are African American/Black high school seniors or undergraduate students pursuing higher education in STEM. To apply, applicants must write a 400-600 word essay, answering the prompt. The deadline is May 20th.

Lisa McGinley Scholarship Fund

This scholarship awards $935 to one winner. Applicants are high school juniors or seniors or undergraduate students, who are pursuing sports at the collegiate level and have lost a parent(s). To apply, applicants must write a 400-600 word essay, answering the prompt. The deadline is May 20th.

Indigenous Women in STEM Scholarship

This scholarship awards $500 to one Indigenous, female winner. Applicants are either high school seniors or undergraduate students pursuing higher education in STEM. To apply, applicants must write a 400-600 word essay, answering the prompt. The deadline is May 30th.

Scholarships for college students in Massachusetts

Students are encouraged to continue applying for scholarships in college to ensure that all financial need is covered each academic year. Regardless of your field of study, grade point average, extracurricular experience, or legal residence, there's bound to be a scholarship that you're perfect for. You can start your search with the scholarships below!

Chaweka Lynn Fisher Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship awards $1,500 to one winner. Applicants are indigenous undergraduate or graduate students. To apply, applicants must write a 400-600 word essay, answering the prompt. The deadline is May 19th.

Women in Tech Scholarship

This scholarship awards $3,000 to one female winner. Applicants are undergraduate students pursuing higher education in STEM. To apply, applicants must write a 400-600 word essay, answering the prompt. The deadline is May 29th.

Destinie's Dollars for Degrees Scholarship

This scholarship awards $500 to one winner. Applicants are first-generation, BIPOC undergraduate students. To apply, applicants must write a 200-500 word essay, answering the prompt. The deadline is June 1st.

Mary P. Perlea Scholarship Fund

This scholarship awards $500 to one winner. Applicants are undergraduate students of an underrepresented or otherwise disadvantaged community, such as BIPOC students, LGBTQ+ students, single mothers, etc. To apply, applicants must write a 400-600 word essay, answering the prompt. The deadline is June 1st.

Gladys Ruth Legacy "Service" Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship awards $1,000 to one winner. Applicants are first-generation, African American/Black undergraduate students with a GPA of 2.5 or above. To apply, applicants must have participated in community service for the last five years and write a 400-600 word essay, answering the prompt. The deadline is June 5th.

Lisa Seidman Excellence in Writing Scholarship

This scholarship awards $500 to one female winner. Applicants are high school seniors or undergraduate students with a 3.0 GPA or higher, pursuing higher education in English and writing. To apply, applicants must write a 400-500 word essay, answering the prompt. The deadline is September 1st.

Michael Valdivia Scholarship

This scholarship awards $2,257 to two winners. Applicants are male high school seniors or undergraduate students who have experience dealing with anxiety and/or depression. To apply, applicants must write a 400-600 word essay, answering the prompt. The deadline is July 15th.

Massachusetts scholarships for graduate students

There are plenty of scholarships available for you even if you've completed your undergraduate study and moved on to the next phase of your education. To support those pursuing graduate study, there are hundreds of scholarships that graduate students are encouraged to apply for. Whether you're pursuing a master's degree program, a doctoral degree, or anything else, there's a scholarship available for you!

Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship

This scholarship awards $500 to one winner. Applicants are from any education level and background. To apply, applicants must reflect on their experiences with mental health in a 500-1000 word essay, answering the specific prompt. The deadline is May 31st.

Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship

This scholarship awards $4,400 each to two winners. Applicants of any education level are encouraged to apply. They are required to write a 200-1000 word essay, answering the prompt. The deadline is June 14th.

Chang Heaton Scholarship for Music Excellence

This scholarship awards $505 each to five winners. Applicants are first-generation, BIPOC undergraduate or graduate students studying music or theatre. To apply, applicants must write a 400-600 word essay, answering the prompt. The deadline is June 25th.

WCEJ Thornton Foundation Low-Income Scholarship

This scholarship awards $1,000 each to 15 winners. Applicants are low-income graduating high school seniors, students returning to school, or students enrolled in a post-secondary education program. To apply, applicants must write a 400-750 word essay, answering the prompt. The deadline is July 1st.

Scholarships for international students in Massachusetts

International students often face major adversity when pursuing higher education. College can be a big transition for any student, but international students face the additional burden of navigating school in an unfamiliar country. International students can find many avenues of support, such as the scholarships below.

1. International Studies Scholarship
2. Greg Orwig Cultural Immersion Scholarship
3. Crenati Foundation Supporting International Students Scholarship

Scholarships for nursing students in Massachusetts

Nursing has always been a vital profession and its importance has only been made more clear throughout the pandemic. To encourage the caregivers of tomorrow to pursue nursing, there are many scholarships specifically for future nurses. The following scholarships are a great place to get started!

1. Deborah Stevens Pediatric Nursing Scholarship
2. Wieland Nurse Appreciation Scholarship
3. Vicki Sartin's Purpose in Nursing Scholarship
4. WiseGeek Nursing No-Essay Scholarship

Frequently asked questions about Massachusetts scholarships

Are there Massachusetts scholarships for high school seniors?

Yes! There are many Massachusetts scholarships that are available to high school seniors. These scholarships include the Rita A. Clark Future Educator Award, Dr. Rajesh Aggarwal Scholarship Scientific Studies, SKH Empowering Scholarship for Women, Leon M. Braswell III Book Scholarship, John F. Puffer, Sr. Smile Scholarship, Francis "Slip" Madigan Scholarship, and more!

How many scholarships can I receive from Bold.org?

Student users on Bold.org can win an unlimited amount of scholarship awards! This means that you can apply for as many scholarships as you want, all for free.

No matter how many scholarships you apply to or are awarded, the scholarship amounts all contribute to helping you afford college - including the cost of tuition, books, and mandatory fees. The sooner you apply, the more money you can win to avoid needing to rely on federal or private student loans.