Massachusetts High Demand Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Massachusetts Department of Higher Education

Description **Program goal** The Massachusetts High Demand Scholarship Program provides scholarship assistance to encourage degree completion in fields the Commonwealth has identified as high-need. Its core objective is to help meet Massachusetts workforce needs by reducing the financial barriers that students face while completing eligible programs of study. The scholarship supports students through completion so more graduates enter in-demand professions that contribute to the state economy. Key takeaways - Creates financial support to increase degree completion in high-need fields - Focuses on improving the state workforce pipeline - Designed to reduce student cost barriers through program completion Eligibility **General eligibility overview** Students must meet several residency, immigration, academic, and enrollment requirements to qualify. Eligibility depends on physical residence in Massachusetts, approved immigration or domestic status, completion of financial aid application requirements, enrollment in an eligible high-need program, no prior bachelor’s degree, and meeting a minimum GPA threshold. First-year entrants may apply but must meet the GPA requirement after they begin college. Key takeaways - Must have lived in Massachusetts at least one year by the term start and intend to remain in state - Must have approved status (High School Completer/tuition equity designation, U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or non-citizen eligible for Title IV) - Must have submitted the FAFSA or an authorized FAFSA-equivalent application - Must be enrolled in an eligible high-need program and not hold a prior bachelor’s degree - Must achieve and maintain a minimum 3.0 college GPA on post–high school coursework; incoming first-year Fall 2025 applicants must meet this once enrolled Eligible Institutions **Institution types** Eligible institutions for the 2025–2026 cycle are Massachusetts public and independent (private) colleges and universities. The scholarship applies only to programs offered by institutions located in Massachusetts that meet the state’s eligibility criteria. **Program designation** Eligible academic programs are identified by CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) codes; only programs designated as high-demand by CIP code qualify for the award. Key takeaways - Open to public and independent institutions in Massachusetts - Program eligibility is determined by CIP code designations - A full CIP-coded list of qualifying programs is available through the Department of Higher Education Application Timeline **2025–2026 cycle** The 2025–2026 application cycle will accept candidates enrolled at Massachusetts public and independent institutions pursuing designated high-demand degrees. Specific deadlines and application windows are set by the Department of Higher Education and should be confirmed on its official website. **First-year applicants** New, first-year students beginning college in Fall 2025 may apply for the scholarship; however, their continued eligibility requires achieving and maintaining the 3.0 GPA once they are enrolled. Key takeaways - 2025–2026 application open to eligible students at MA public and independent institutions - Check the Department of Higher Education for exact application dates and deadlines - Fall 2025 first-year applicants are eligible but must meet ongoing GPA requirements to retain the award Award Value **Amount** The provided materials do not specify the scholarship award amounts or how funds are disbursed. Award values, per-recipient amounts, and any cost-of-attendance calculations are determined by program administrators and may vary by year or applicant circumstances. **Renewal and conditions** Renewal criteria (beyond the 3.0 GPA requirement) and maximum award duration are not specified in the supplied text. Applicants should review official program resources for current award amounts, renewal policies, and budget allocation. Key takeaways - Award amount and disbursement details are not specified in the provided information - Renewal terms beyond the GPA requirement are not described here - Consult the Department of Higher Education or the official program page for current financial details History of the Award **Origin** The scholarship was established by the Massachusetts Legislature to support the Commonwealth’s economic growth and workforce development. It was conceived as a policy tool to direct educational resources toward disciplines where employer demand is strong. **Legislative intent** The legislative purpose focuses on aligning higher education outcomes with state workforce needs by incentivizing degree completion in designated high-need fields. Key takeaways - Created by the Massachusetts Legislature to promote economic and workforce development - Intended to align college completion with state labor-market priorities - Functions as a targeted scholarship to build capacity in high-demand occupations Where to get more information For complete program details, up-to-date application deadlines, the full list of eligible CIP-coded programs, award amounts, and renewal policies, consult the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s official High Demand Scholarship webpage.