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.
Not eligible for this one? These are open anywhere in the U.S.
Being in the wrong state rules out a lot of programs and almost none of the good ones. Here are three you can apply to from anywhere, soonest deadline first.
Apply anytime
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Who can apply: Anywhere in the U.S.