Eligibility Criteria

You must meet the following criteria to be considered for financial aid:

• Be admitted to an eligible program. Please note that undeclared majors are not eligible for financial aid.
• For most programs, you should enroll in at least six credits each semester.  However, students with very low income may qualify for as little as one class per semester.
• Demonstrate financial need as determined by filing the FAFSA.
• Have a complete financial aid file as outlined in How to Apply and by responding to all requests for additional information.
• Not be in default on any educational loan or in repayment of any educational grant.
• For the grant programs, you must not have a previous Bachelor's Degree.
• Be making progress toward a certificate or degree program according to the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (see below for an exception). Verification may be required.

NEW!  A Massachusetts law on Tuition Equity passed in August 2023 and is effective beginning in 2023-2024.  If you are a Massachusetts resident who does not meet the citizenship criteria for federal financial aid, you may qualify for both in-state tuition rates and state financial aid grants and scholarships if you meet the criteria for "High School Completer" status.  To be considered, all three of the below are needed:

1. You must have attended a Massachusetts High School for at least 3 years AND have either:
   • graduated from high school in Massachusetts, or
   • received the equivalent of a high school diploma (for example, a GED or HiSet) in Massachusetts
2. You will need to be accepted to an eligible degree or certificate program AND submit a completed "Tuition Equity Eligibility Form and Affidavit for High School Completers" form to the Admissions Office.  If approved, this process will allow you to be charged the in-state tuition rate and allow you to apply for state financial aid funds. Please contact the QCC Admissions Office at 508-854-4262 or by email to admissions [at] qcc.mass.edu for help with this process. 
3. If you decide to apply for state financial aid grants and scholarships as a High School Completer, you will also need to submit the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA). 
   • The 2023-2024 MASFA allows us to consider you for funding for Fall 2023, Intersession/Spring 2024, and Summer 2024 semester(s). This form should be completed by May 1 and no later than June 30, 2024.
   • The 2024-2025 MASFA is also available to be completed for consideration of financial aid funds for Fall 2024, Intersession/Spring 2025, and Summer 2025.

Please note that the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) is still building the process by which Colleges will be able to award state financial aid to High School Completers. QCC does not currently have access to MASFA forms completed by students.  If requested, please work with OSFA directly to submit any required paperwork to complete your financial aid file. Once a process is active for QCC, we'll communicate with students who have applied on any next steps or their eligibility.