Massachusetts Paul Tsongas Scholarship
Offered by Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Office of Student Financial Assistance
About this scholarship
The Massachusetts Paul Tsongas Scholarship is a state merit program that waives tuition and mandatory fees for highly qualified Massachusetts students at participating state universities. The official academic benchmark is a high school GPA of at least 3.75 plus an SAT score of at least 1200 or the ACT equivalent, although each university establishes its own approved selection criteria and application process. The eight institutions listed by the state are Bridgewater State, Fitchburg State, Framingham State, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Salem State, Westfield State, and Worcester State University. Each institution may award five new Tsongas waivers per academic year. Students do not submit a single statewide scholarship application; instead, they contact the state university they plan to attend for its requirements and deadline. Applicants must also complete the FAFSA and satisfy Massachusetts residency, eligible citizenship or immigration status, Selective Service, loan-default, and prior-aid-refund rules. Continued eligibility can extend through four years of study when the recipient maintains at least a 3.3 GPA and meets the institution’s standards. Because tuition and mandatory fees differ by university and year, the official program does not state one universal dollar amount.
Eligibility
- Be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts for at least one year before the academic year begins
- Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen under the program’s state-aid rules
- Have at least a 3.75 high school GPA and an SAT score of at least 1200 or the ACT equivalent
- Complete the FAFSA and any financial-aid steps required by the participating university
- Apply through one of the Massachusetts state universities participating in the program
- Meet the university’s approved selection criteria and application deadline
- Not be in default on covered student loans or owe a refund on prior financial aid
- Maintain at least a 3.3 GPA for continued eligibility