Grants
There are several type of grants that are available to students who meet certain criteria. For more information on how to apply for these grants click here.
Federal Grant Programs
There are several federal grant programs for which you may qualify based on your FAFSA
information and EFC (Expected Family Contribution).
Federal Pell Grant
- Grant from the federal government to undergraduate students (with no prior bachelor's or professional degree) with high need.
- These grants are based on the student's enrollment status.
- Students can receive this grant with as little as 3 credits of attendance in a semester (based on EFC of 4100 or less for 2023-24)
- Eligible students can receive up to 150% of their scheduled Pell award each year.
- What does this mean for you?
- If you were a Pell eligible student in fall 2023 and/or spring 2024, you may qualify for a Pell Grant for summer 2024
In order to be eligible in 2023-2024
- Have a valid 2023-2024 FAFSA and had a completed file
- Be Pell Grant eligible
- Be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
- In most cases, enrolled at least half-time (6+ credit hours)
- If you were full-time status and received a full Pell Grant in the fall of 2023 or spring of 2024, you must enroll for at least 6 credit hours in summer classes to receive summer Pell
- If you were part-time fall 2023 or spring 2024, there is no minimum credit requirement to receive a summer Pell Grant
- Please note that your Pell Grant award will be based on your EFC and enrollment status
| Example # 1 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | Summer 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment | 12 credit hours, full time | 12 credit hours, full time | 12 credit hours full time |
| EFC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pell Award | $3,448 (50%) | $3,447 (50%) | $3,448(50%) |
| Example # 2 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | Summer 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment | 12 credit hours, full time | 9 credit hours, 3/4 time | 6 credit hours half time |
| EFC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pell Award | $3,448 (50%) | $2,586 (37.5%) | $1,724 (25%) |
| Example # 3 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | Summer 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment | 6 credit hours, half time | 6 credit hours, half time | 3 credit hours half time |
| EFC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pell Award | $1,724 (25%) | $1,724 (25%) | $862 (12.5%) |
* In order to be eligible for a summer Pell Grant in Example #4 below, you must take at least 6 credit hours in the summer.
| Example # 4 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | Summer 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment | 12 credit hours, full time | 12 credit hours, full time | 6 credit hours half time* |
| EFC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pell Award | $3,448 (50%) | $3,447 (50%) | $1,724 (25%) |
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG):
- Grant from the federal government to undergraduate students with high need. Priority of this grant funding is given to students who are Pell Grant recipients.
Fallen Hero Pell Grant:
- If you are a dependent student of a Fallen Hero, and meet certain criteria, MCC's financial aid department can help you determine if you eligible to receive the maximum Federal Pell Grant award for the academic year.
- Please reach out to our office for more information.
Massachusetts Grant Programs
MassReconnect: Is a program from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts providing Massachusetts residents free community college to adults 25 or older with no previous college degree. Click here for more details.
Mass Free Nursing: Is a program from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts providing enrolled in a nursing
program free community college to Massachusetts residents with no previous college
degree.
MassGrant: Is a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for full-time (12 credits or more
each semester) undergraduate students who are residents of Massachusetts and demonstrate
exceptional financial need. Recipients cannot have a prior bachelor's or professional
degree. FAFSA deadline is May 1st. FAFSAs that are filed after May 1st are not considered eligible.
MassGrant PLUS: In addition to the MassGrant, the MassGrantPlus program is intended to complement
other financial aid programs. It is based on FAFSA information, so there is no need
for students to apply separately for this funding. Students must be enrolled in a
degree or certificate program, a legal resident of Massachusetts, demonstrate need
and be enrolled in at least 6 credits a semester. The deadline date for MassGrant
is May 1, 2023
Tuition Waiver: Need-based grant aid from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to undergraduate students who are residents of Massachusetts and have no prior bachelor's or professional (Masters, doctoral) degree.
Cash Access Grant: Need-based grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to undergraduate students who are residents of Massachusetts and have no prior bachelor's or professional degree.
Part-time Grant: Need-based grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to undergraduate students
enrolled in 6 to 11 credits each semester. This grant is for Massachusetts residents
who have no prior bachelor's or professional degree. Students must qualify for the
federal Pell Grant Program to receive funds from this state program.
Institutional Grant Programs
Student Success Grant: MCC's Student Success Grant can help cover tuition, fees, books and supplies. Eligibility is determined through filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. Initial awards and renewal of the grant is subject to federal eligibility requirements, enrollment in an eligible program of study and continued financial need.