John and Abigail Adams Scholarship
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
A merit-based tuition credit for high-scoring Massachusetts public high school students attending an in-state public college, covering resident undergraduate tuition for up to eight semesters.
Who should apply
Massachusetts public high school seniors with strong grade-10 MCAS scores who plan to attend a Massachusetts state university, UMass campus, or community college.
Eligibility
MA residents (1+ year) who scored Advanced on one grade-10 MCAS subject and Proficient/Advanced on the others, in the top 25% of their district. Must enroll full-time at a MA public institution and file the FAFSA/MASFA.
What you get
- Tuition credit (waiver) for up to eight semesters
- Covers resident undergraduate tuition at state universities and community colleges
What the application involves
- No separate application
- FAFSA or MASFA on file
- Full-time enrollment at an eligible MA public institution
Application tips
- Maintain MCAS performance in grade 10 — eligibility is locked in early.
- Still file the FAFSA/MASFA on time to actually receive the tuition credit.
- Confirm your chosen MA public college participates.
Good to know
Award covers tuition only, not mandatory fees (often the larger cost at MA public institutions). No application — eligibility is determined by MCAS scores.