20 Best Massachusetts Scholarships

Living in New England’s largest state means your eligible to apply for money-saving scholarships in Massachusetts.

Since the Pilgrims crossed the Atlantic to Plymouth in 1620, Massachusetts has significantly influenced American history, including academia. Harvard University was established in 1636 as the nation’s first higher learning institute. This Ivy League school is now ranked #2 nationally by the U.S. News and World Report.

Featured Programs

The “Bay State” has 114 colleges to give graduating seniors many options. Whether you prefer small women’s colleges like Wellesley or large research centers like Boston University, you’ll likely find the perfect fit in Massachusetts.

An abundance of scholarship opportunities can also make your Massachusetts degree more affordable. Best sure to check on specific scholarships for the most recent dates and information.

Ranking the Best Massachusetts Scholarships

1. Agnes M. Lindsay Scholarship Program

Deadline: Varies

The Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance funds the Agnes M. Lindsay Scholarship Program. It provides need-based awards to undergraduates pursuing certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degrees at eligible public colleges in the Commonwealth. Interested applicants must:

take at least 12 credits per term
have U.S. citizenship or legal residency
live in a Massachusetts town with under 15,000 residents
exhibit significant financial need
not be in student loan default.

Contact

Agnes M. Lindsay Scholarship Program
454 Broadway Suite 200
Revere, MA 02151
(617) 391-6070
osfa@osfa.mass.edu
Scholarship Link

2. Al Sprague Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: April 8th

The Al Sprague Memorial Scholarship honors the former president of the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association. It grants $3,000 annually to Bay Staters who are enrolling full-time at accredited two- or four-year universities. They must be pursuing degrees in radio and television broadcasting. Qualified recipients must:

have lived in Massachusetts at least 12 months
display academic merit
have limited monetary resources
be committed to community service
exhibit the most promise for broadcasting industry leadership.

Contact

Al Sprague Memorial Scholarship
43 Riverside Avenue PMB 401
Medford, MA 02155
(800) 471-1875
jordan@massbroadcasters.org
Scholarship Link

3. Alexander G. Gray Jr. Scholarship

Deadline: February 16th

The Alexander G. Gray Jr. Scholarship is presented yearly by the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association. The $3,500 scholarship is to financially support law students who are deeply committed to advocating justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer persons. To qualify, candidates must:

attend an ABA-accredited law school in Massachusetts
be current student members
possess academic merit
be involved in the LGBTQ community
display positive personal character.

Contact

Alexander G. Gray Jr. Scholarship
One Ashburton Place 20th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 963-2554
Robert.Quinan@state.ma.us
Scholarship Link

4. Dr. Hugh Mahoney Scholarship

Deadline: January 1st

The Massachusetts Medical Society sponsors the Dr. Hugh Mahoney Scholarship. Eligible for the annual $1,250 award are medical students who legally reside in the Middlesex North District, including:

Billerica
Chelmsford
Dracut
Groton
Lowell
Tewksbury
Westford

Applicants must have completed at least one year at an accredited medical school in the United States or Canada with good academic standing.

Other scholarships in Massachusetts for future doctors are the Dr. George G. Katsas Scholarship and Percy W. Wadman MD Scholarship.

Contact

Dr. Hugh Mahoney Scholarship
860 Winter Street
Waltham, MA 02451
(781) 434-7305
mjussaume@mms.org
Scholarship Link

5. Elson T. Killam Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

The New England Water Works Association administers the Elson T. Killam Memorial Scholarship for $1,500 each year. It supports undergraduate or graduate students. They must be pursuing ABET-accredited civil or environmental engineering degrees at four-year colleges. Applicants must be individuals residing in New England or attending school in:

Massachusetts
Maine
Vermont
New Hampshire
Connecticut
Rhode Island

Applications must include:

a resume
official transcript
recommendation
statement of career plans in water works practice.

Contact

Elson T. Killam Memorial Scholarship
125 Hopping Brook Road
Holliston, MA 01746
(508) 893-7979
PizanoL@BV.com
Scholarship Link

6. Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund

Deadline: December 1st

The Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund is one of the most lucrative independent scholarships in Massachusetts. The award provides $10,000 to $40,000 total over four years to undergraduates who’ve worked at the Commonwealth’s golf courses. Eligible candidates must:

have served as caddies or course superintendents for 2+ years
be accepted into accredited higher education institution
maintain full-time enrollment
exhibit leadership ability
have active community involvement

The competitive application process requires an interview in March or April.

Contact

Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund
300 Arnold Palmer Boulevard
Norton, MA 02766
(774) 430-9090
michellee@ouimet.org
Scholarship Link

7. George L. Farley Scholarship

Deadline: April 30th

The George L. Farley Scholarship honors his 25 years as State 4-H Leader It was established by the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation to award $1,000 each year. Eligible 4-H members must:

reside in the Commonwealth
enroll full-time in UMass Amherst’s College of Natural Sciences or the Stockbridge School
intend to pursue a career in agriculture
display continuing involvement in 4-H activities
exhibit outstanding leadership development.

Contact

George L. Farley Scholarship
400 Main Street
Walpole, MA 02081
(413) 545-0611
waskiewicz@umext.umass.edu
Scholarship Link

8. Grace M. Edwards Scholarship

Deadline: May 1st

The Grace M. Edwards Scholarship awards at least $2,000 each year to deserving high school seniors in Boston, Massachusetts. They must need significant financial assistance to afford their higher education dreams. Successful applicants must:

be completing a diploma or GED
plan to attend a regionally accredited U.S. college
have a minimum grade point average of 2.0
have lived in Boston for 12+ months
exhibit good citizenship

Awards can be renewed for four undergraduate years.

Contact

Grace M. Edwards Scholarship
89 South Street Suite 603
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 737-3400
info@edwardsfund.org
Scholarship Link

9. Hope Begins Here Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

The Hope Begins Here Scholarship is sponsored by the Boston North Cancer Association. It presents $3,500 each year to college-bound high school seniors who:

have lost a parent to cancer
have survived childhood cancer
are currently battling cancer

Applicants must reside on the North Shore, including:

Essex
Gloucester
Lynnfield
Middleton
Peabody
Rockport
Salem
Salisbury

Funding can cover tuition, fees, or room and board at any accredited U.S. post-secondary institutions.

Contact

Hope Begins Here Scholarship
P.O. Box 3153
Peabody, MA 01960
(877) 270-0370
info@bostonnorthcancer.org
Scholarship Link

10. James Lampka Presidential Scholarship

Deadline: February 28th

The Massachusetts Society of Radiologic Technologists awards the James Lampka Presidential Scholarship each year. Eligible are registered radiologic technologists who are furthering their education with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. It must be related to radiologic science, including public health and healthcare management. Applicants must:

hold unrestricted Massachusetts license
be MSRT members for at least one year
attend an accredited in-state university
maintain a cumulative GPA above 3.0
submit one employer recommendation.

Contact

James Lampka Presidential Scholarship
P.O. Box 2821
Duxbury, MA 02331
(781) 422-3962
info@msrt-ma.org
Scholarship Link

11. Kathleen M. Peabody CPA Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

The Kathleen M. Peabody CPA Scholarship is distributed by the Massachusetts Society of CPAs. The $2,500 award is for full-time undergraduate accounting majors who intend to fulfill the 150-hour requirement for becoming a Certified Public Accountant. Interested students must:

attend an accredited business school
be entering their junior or senior year
pursue a public accounting career in Massachusetts
attain superior academic achievement
have financial need

Recipients are invited to MSCPA’s Recognition Reception in May.

Contact

Kathleen M. Peabody CPA Scholarship
105 Chauncy Street 10th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 556-4000
info@mscpaonline.org
Scholarship Link

12. Louis M. Rusitzky Scholarship

Deadline: April 10th

The Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts provides 21 scholarships in Massachusetts, including the Louis M. Rusitzky Scholarship. This $2,000 award is reserved for graduating high school seniors in New Bedford. They must be pursuing accredited four-year bachelor’s degrees in business disciplines. Qualified applicants must:

carry a minimum B average
display entrepreneurial spirit
intend to establish a business in Southeastern Massachusetts
demonstrate unmet financial need.

Contact

Louis M. Rusitzky Scholarship
30 Cornell Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 996-8253
lmaher@cfsema.org
Scholarship Link

13. Margaret Bent Patterson Scholarship

Deadline: March 1st

The Margaret Bent Patterson Scholarship was established by the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts in 1982. It awards $1,000 to college seniors and graduate students who are pursuing degrees in:

landscape design
landscape architecture
horticulture
floriculture

The eligibility criteria requires:

having legal residence in Massachusetts for one year
carrying a minimum 3.0 GPA
exhibiting potential for the landscaping industry
lacking financial means
attending an accredited university full-time.

Contact

Margaret Bent Patterson Scholarship
219 Washington Street
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
(781) 237-0336
gcfmscholarship@aol.com
Scholarship Link

14. Massachusetts GEAR UP Scholarship

Deadline: Varies

The Massachusetts GEAR UP Scholarship is another program funded by the Office of Student Financial Assistance. It serves young people under 22 years old who are pursuing a certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree from a participating public in-state college. Awards range from $800 to $1,000 per year based on recipients’ enrollment status. Candidates must:

have graduated from a Massachusetts high school
be eligible for financial aid
have participated in the GEAR UP Early Intervention program.

Contact

Massachusetts GEAR UP Scholarship
454 Broadway Suite 200
Revere, MA 02151
(617) 391-6070
osfa@osfa.mass.edu
Scholarship Link

15. Paul M. Alberta Scholarship Fund

Deadline: April 14th

The Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral Conductors Association offers the Paul M. Alberta Scholarship Fund. It grants $1,000 annually. It’s for graduating high school seniors who have been accepted into accredited U.S. colleges to study music or music education. Suitable applicants must:

be permanent Massachusetts residents
have good standing in their school’s music group
show active involvement in co-curricular activities
exhibit instrumental or vocal talent
be recommended by their music director.

Contact

Paul M. Alberta Scholarship Fund
201 Franklin Street
Wrentham, MA 02093
jwolloff@miccamusic.org
Scholarship Link

16. Robert J. Hindley Memorial Scholarships

Deadline: May 1st

Each summer, the Massachusetts Call Volunteer Firefighters Association bestows $1,000 Robert J. Hindley Memorial Scholarships. They go to five MCVFA members or immediate relatives who are pursuing undergraduate, vocational, or certification training. They must be at accredited colleges and can be full-time or part-time. Fitting candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and a minimum 2.0 grade point average. Applications must have:

two letters of recommendation
an official transcript
a 400-word statement of interest.

Contact

Robert J. Hindley Memorial Scholarships
P.O. Box 52
Marlborough, MA 01752
(508) 540-0144
recruit@mcvfa.org
Scholarship Link

17. Rosemary Smith RN Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: June 1st

The Rosemary Smith RN Memorial Scholarship grants $500 to $1,000 each year. It’s administered by the Massachusetts Nurses Association. Eligible are registered nurses who are enrolling at least half-time in bachelor’s or master’s programs for:

nursing
labor relations
public health
related fields

MNA members in good standing must:

have at least one year of RN experience
attend a professionally accredited college
submit three detailed references
participate actively in healthcare organizations.

Contact

Rosemary Smith RN Memorial Scholarship
340 Turnpike Street
Canton, MA 02021
(781) 821-4625 ext. 720
cmessia@mnarn.org
Scholarship Link

18. Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: May 2nd

The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship range from $3,000 to $18,000. The gifts are need-based aid to graduating high school seniors from New England. They must need financial support to attend an accredited U.S. college without burdensome debt. Qualified candidates must:

be seeking their first bachelor’s degree
maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA
be U.S. citizens or lawful residents
take at least 12 credits per semester
have low expected family contributions

Priority is given to Massachusites from Salem and Boston’s northern suburbs.

Contact

Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship
27 Flint Street
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 741-8646
staff@spscholars.org
Scholarship Link

19. Valley Press Club Scholarships

Deadline: April 1st

The Valley Press Club awards four to six $1,000 scholarships in Massachusetts annually. They go to graduating high school seniors who are genuinely interested in pursuing journalism careers in:

print
online
broadcast

Successful applicants must:

reside in Western Massachusetts
be accepted into accredited higher education institutions
show scholastic aptitude
demonstrate financial need
attach three writing samples

Preference is given for experience or employment in journalism.

Contact

Valley Press Club Scholarships
P.O. Box 5475
Springfield, MA 01102
(413) 682-0007
scholarship@valleypressclub.com
Scholarship Link

20. William Armstrong Scholarship Award

Deadline: Varies

The William Armstrong Scholarship Award honors a beloved South Shore boat dealer. It’s funded by the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA). It awards $1,500 to high school seniors and graduates who are pursuing undergraduate study at higher learning institutes in Massachusetts. Acceptance criteria mandates:

planning to enter the recreational marine industry
holding MMTA membership
maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA

Applicants must write a brief one-paragraph statement highlighting their marine experiences.

Contact

William Armstrong Scholarship Award
P.O. Box 727
Milton, MA 02186
(617) 296-8336
info@boatma.com
Scholarship Link

The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education reports that the average tuition for all four-year institutions statewide was $11,634 in 2015-16. College tuition is rising steadily at 7 percent each year, which is significantly faster than inflation. Bay Staters planning post-secondary endeavors must capitalize on financial aid to avoid overwhelming debt. Scholarships and grants are preferred over loans because they’re gifts that don’t require repayment. Include these 20 great scholarships in Massachusetts within your search for tuition coverage.

This concludes our listing of the best Massachusetts scholarships available.

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