Aid Programs

• Federal Pell Grant - This is gift aid awarded by the federal government to students demonstrating substantial financial need. Changes in enrollment status through the add/drop period will result in an adjustment to this award.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant - This is a federally funded grant program. Recipients are selected by Quinsigamond Community College according to federal regulations that require SEOG be awarded to students with the lowest family contributions and greatest financial need, usually Federal Pell Grant recipients. Priority is also given to students enrolled in at least six credits.
• MA Cash Grant - This is a state-funded grant program designed to assist needy Massachusetts residents attending public colleges and registered for at least three credits. Eligibility is determined by the college according to state regulations. The Cash Grant cannot exceed the cost of tuition and fees.
• MassEducate - This is a program to fund free community college for students who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree and are either under 25 or have one Associate's degree. This is a state funded grant available to both full-time and part-time (6+ credits each semester) students who meet Massachusetts residency requirements, have completed the FAFSA (or MASFA), and demonstrate financial need for tuition and fees after accounting for other forms of grant and scholarship aid. A book allowance may be included based on family income and amounts will vary based on level of enrollment. This program is available for Fall, Spring and Summer. There are time limits on how long a student may receive this funding type based on their program length. Please see our FAQs for enrolled students for more information.
• MASSGrant - This is a state grant awarded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to its residents with exceptionally high financial need. The state Office of Student Financial Assistance notifies residents of their eligibility and the college certifies this eligibility. Funds are not available until this certification is completed. You must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 credits to receive this grant. This program is available in the Fall and Spring semesters.
• MASSGrant Plus - This is a state funded grant for students who have not yet earned a college degree.  MassGrant Plus is available to both full-time and part-time (6+ credits each semester) students who meet Massachusetts residency requirements, have completed the FAFSA (or MASFA), and demonstrate financial need for tuition and fees after accounting all forms of grant and scholarship aid.  A book stipend is included based on level of enrollment. Pell eligible students will be prioritized. Deadlines may be applied annually based on the amount allocated to the College by the state.  This program is available in the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters while funds are available.
• MassReconnect - This is a program to fund free community college for adults 25 and older who do not already have a college degree. This is a state funded grant available to both full-time and part-time (6+ credits each semester) students who meet Massachusetts residency requirements, have completed the FAFSA (or MASFA), and demonstrate financial need for tuition and fees after accounting for other forms of grant and scholarship aid. A book allowance is included based on level of enrollment. This program is available for Fall, Spring and Summer. There are time limits on how long a student may receive this funding type based on their program length. Please see our FAQs for enrolled students for more information.
• MA Public Service Grant - Established to provide educational opportunity to family members in recognition of the hardship that a family experiences upon the loss of a parent and or spouse who is killed or missing in the line of public service duty in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The award value is equal to the college's full time tuition charge.
• Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant - Provides financial assistance to paraprofessionals in a Massachusetts public school who wish to pursue teacher education and become certified to teach full-time in Massachusetts' public schools.

Tuition Waivers cannot exceed the amount of tuition charged each term.  Unless otherwise stated, a tuition waiver does not apply to fees.

• Categorical Tuition Waivers: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides tuition waivers to eligible (1) Veterans (2) Native Americans (3) Senior Citizens (4) members of the Armed Forces (5) Clients of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission or Commission for the Blind.  
• City of Worcester Tuition Waiver: The city of Worcester issues up to five 100% tuition waivers per semester, for the fall and spring semesters, to employees of the city of Worcester. 
• DSS Adopted Children Tuition Waiver is designed to lessen the financial burden on adopting parents in the Commonwealth. This Waiver extends eligibility to all children and young adults, age twenty-four or under, adopted through the Department of Social Services by state employees or eligible Massachusetts residents, regardless of the date of adoption.  Fees may be covered through a state grant for state-supported courses. You must provide the letter from DCF stating that you qualify for the program to the QCC Financial Aid Office.
• DSS Tuition Waiver for Foster Care Children is designed to provide financial support for higher education to foster children in state custody who were neither adopted nor returned home. Fees may be covered through a state grant for state-supported courses. You must provide the letter from DCF stating that you qualify for the program to the QCC Financial Aid Office.
• Higher Education Employee Tuition Waiver: Employees of institutions of higher education in the state of Massachusetts are eligible for a tuition waiver for themselves, their spouses and their dependent children. Full time employees may receive a 100% waiver, part time employees receive 50%.
• Human Service Provider Tuition Waiver is a program of the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers Inc., eligible employees of certain Human Service Providers may receive a 100% tuition waiver by submitting a Certificate of Employee Eligibility for Tuition Remission approved by their Human Resources representative. Qualification of an organization as an Eligible Human Services Provider will be determined on the basis of lists of providers under contract with the Commonwealth that are maintained by the Comptroller of the Commonwealth.
• Massachusetts National Guard Tuition Waiver: Certain eligible members of the Massachusetts National Guard may receive a 100% tuition waiver for up to 30 credit hours per school year. A certificate for this waiver must be issued by the member's unit Administration or Education office.
• Need Based Tuition Waiver is a state-funded program available to needy Massachusetts residents attending public colleges and registered for at least three credits. Eligibility is determined by the college according to state regulations. If you receive any other type of tuition waiver you may not receive this need-based tuition waiver as well. The amount of the waiver cannot exceed the cost of tuition. 
• Quinsigamond Community College Full-Time Employee Tuition and Fee Waiver: QCC employees, their spouses and their dependents are eligible for a 100% waiver of tuition charges. In addition, employees may receive a 100% waiver of educational fee charges. Spouses and dependents of employees may receive a 50% waiver of educational fee charges.
• Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Tuition Waiver: Honors students who are awarded Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Awards by the Department of Education.
• September 11, 2001 Tragedy Tuition Waiver provides a 100 percent tuition waiver to children and widowed spouses of Massachusetts residents for any state supported course or program offered by a Massachusetts public college or university.
• State Employee Tuition Waiver: Employees of Massachusetts state agencies are eligible for a 100% tuition waiver for themselves and their spouses. 
• Valedictorian Program Tuition Waiver: Honors students who were designated as valedictorians by a Massachusetts High School.

QCC (Internal) Scholarships

QCC Foundation Scholarships

The QCC Foundation offers a variety of scholarships to our students.  The process is open twice per year- once in late spring (on or around May 1 for Fall semester awards) and once in late fall (on or around November 1 for Spring semester awards).  Please visit the QCC Foundation website to learn more about eligibility and applying.

Olga Lopez-Hill Scholarship

The $600 Olga Lopez-Hill Scholarship honors a current QCC student and will be presented at the annual HACE event. The scholarship is available to QCC students who plan either to continue their education at Quinsigamond or to transfer to another educational institution.

Olga Lopez-Hill, graduated from QCC in 1990 and worked at the College for over 20 years advocating for students and inspiring them to continue their efforts to further their education. Ms. Olga Lopez-Hill is a dedicated community leader and role model for those who are willing to work hard to improve their lives.

How to Apply

Submit an essay showing how you feel that your activities and future goals reflect the importance of education, diversity, and service to your community to gvongphakdy@qcc.mass.edu. Please limit your response to two pages, and include your contact information (name, address, e-mail, and telephone number) with your submission. (Previous OLH award recipients are not eligible.) Completed Applications must be received by the last Friday each April.

We also ask our faculty and staff members to assist us by encouraging worthy students to apply. Letters of support from faculty and staff members may accompany the application but are not the only requirement for submission. Please, let students know that their essay is the most important requirement for the selection process.

Outside/External Scholarships

Check these comprehensive scholarship search sites for information on many external scholarship programs you may be eligible for:

• fastweb                  

• SallieMae                

• BigFuture                

• Bold

• Scholarship Guidance

• MetroWest Health Foundation        

• Greater Worcester Community Foundation

Scholarship agencies contact us with opportunities for students to apply for outside scholarships. They are listed below. Please note that QCC is not affiliated with these scholarships.  Interested students must apply on their own and ask any questions to the scholarship agency directly.  If you are asked to pay to apply for a scholarship on this list, please notify financialaid@qcc.mass.edu.  You should not have to pay for a legitimate scholarship opportunity.