Financial Aid

UMass Boston students receive financial aid in many different forms, and through a variety of sources. In 2001-2002, the amount of this aid totaled about $40 million; some form of financial aid was awarded to 57% of undergraduates and 18.1% of graduate students. Financial aid falls into two broad categories: some of it is based on financial need and some is not.

The Office of Financial Aid Services administers a number of need-based aid programs, including those involving loans, grants, tuition and fee waivers, and employment. Funding sources include the federal and state governments, and the University.

The Office for Merit-Based Scholarships administers a number of non-need-based scholarship programs available to UMass Boston undergraduates, and a very small number of programs open to graduate students. The vast majority of merit-based scholarships are restricted to students pursuing their first bachelor’s degrees.

Financial Aid Services

For more complete information, visit: http://www.umb.edu/students/financial_aid

Students are automatically considered for every form of aid administered by the University’s Office of Financial Aid Services, once they file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the US Department of Education. Please remember that the completed FAFSA must include UMass Boston’s code number, 002222.

Financial aid includes loans, grants, tuition, waivers, work-study, and other need-based programs. All financial aid is awarded for an academic year—since financial circumstances are subject to change—so it is necessary to fill out a new application each year. Both continuing students and new applicants to the University are urged to apply for financial aid as soon after January 1 as possible, for the next academic year. Students whose FAFSAs are processed by March 1st will be considered for more funding eligibility.

Financial Aid Services staff are available to give advice and answer questions. You can meet with a financial aid counselor by coming to the office, on the first floor of the Quinn Administration Building, between 8:30am and 6:00pm, Monday through Thursday. On Fridays the services of student peer counselors are available from 10:00am to 4:00pm. The office can be reached at 7-6300 from 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Thursday, and 10:00am to 4:00pm on Fridays.

Further Information

Email: finaid@umb.edu. A handbook covering all aspects of financial aid is available at the office.

Merit-Based Scholarships

For more complete information, visit: www.umb.edu/students/scholarship

The Office for Merit-Based Scholarships administers scholarships funded by the university, including

• scholarships for entering students, and
• scholarships for continuing students given through the Comprehensive Scholarship Program.

Although eligibility for merit-based (non-need-based) scholarships requires good standing academically, recipients will not necessarily be in the highest academic ranking. Meritorious performance is measured in many ways, including hard work for a particular cause, community service, student activism, excellence in a specific artistic endeavor or academic pursuit, and other criteria. All scholarships require Massachusetts residency.

Scholarships open to continuing students (those already enrolled at the University) are meant to help students complete each academic year and thus their degree. In keeping with this goal, funds are disbursed to selected students in the spring semester each year. The open application period is from September 1st through October 15th.

Some academic departments administer their own scholarships. Students should ask their major departments for more information.

The best way to keep track of all scholarship opportunities is to visit the office early each school year and complete an application which will be kept on file for that year. In addition, a visit to the office can help students determine their eligibility for particular scholarships. . The Office for Merit-Based Scholarships is next to the elevators on the second floor of the Quinn Administration Building. The phone number is 7-6026, and they are open Monday-Thursday from 9:00am to 5:00pm, and Friday from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Further Information

The office can be reached by email at merit.scholarship@umb.edu. More information is available on the office website; additionally, the UMass System Scholarship Database, available on-line at http://uis.umassp.edu/scholarships offers a wide range of system-wide scholarship information.

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