Scholarships, Grants & Loans
Bay State College is thrilled to announce new merit and need-based institutional scholarship opportunities for the academic year. Awards are based on financial need, academic standing, and program of study. Some programs are ineligible for institutional scholarships. International students are not eligible for institutional aid, with the exception of certain aid resources.
To apply for financial aid, please complete your FAFSA online at https://studentaid.gov/ to determine your eligibility for aid. Institutional aid is on a first come first serve basis after the priority deadline has passed. The state of Massachusetts has a deadline of May 1st to submit your FAFSA for state grants.
Institutional Scholarships
All scholarships require students to be in full-time status. Renewals require good academic standing.
Institutional aid is applied after external aid and may not exceed the total financial need. Institutional awards may be stacked for domestic students as long as they do not exceed a student's financial need, with the exception of some esports scholarship awards.
International students are not eligible to stack Institutional awards. Awards for International students need to be awarded after Academic Acceptance to inform the I-20 process.
Federal and State Grants
Federal and state grants are awarded to students based on calculated financial eligibility, which is determined by information provided on the FAFSA and by criteria established by the federal government. Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), is required annually for consideration for all federal and state financial aid programs offered by Bay State College.
Federal Pell Grant
Awarded to students who demonstrate substantial financial need, based on the Federal Pell Grant Formula and information submitted on the FAFSA.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
SEOG is funded by the Federal government with a matching contribution from Bay State College to assist students with exceptional financial need. In keeping with federal regulations, funds are awarded to students with the lowest expected family contribution (EFC) and the greatest financial need, usually Federal Pell Grant recipients.
Massachusetts State Grant
Funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and awarded by Bay State College to Massachusetts residents. To qualify, you must meet financial needs and other eligibility requirements established by the Commonwealth.
Massachusetts State Part-Time Grant
Funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and awarded by Bay State College to Massachusetts residents. To qualify, you must enroll on a part-time basis (6-11 credits) and meet financial need and other eligibility requirements established by the Commonwealth.
Student Employment
Students can access employment opportunities both on-and off-campus. There are several reasons to work while attending Bay State College. One advantage is you can minimize borrowing by earning money for your college expenses. Student employment also provides an excellent opportunity to obtain transferable job skills.
Federal Work-Study Program
Federal Work-Study is a form of financial aid for eligible students with financial need that provides part-time jobs to earn money to help pay education expenses. Awarded to students directly who demonstrate financial need and meet certain eligibility requirements. Since Federal Work-Study funding is limited, is important to file the FAFSA before the priority deadline if interested in obtaining Federal Work-Study.
Veteran Benefits/Yellow Ribbon Program
Bay State College is pleased to participate in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program. Qualified Veterans and their dependents are eligible for Yellow Ribbon institutional matching funds from the College. Only Veterans entitled to the maximum benefit rate, as determined by service requirements, or their designated transferees may receive Yellow Ribbon funding. To determine eligibility, contact a VA counselor or visit the VA website.
Federal Loans
If you decide to finance some of your educational expenses through loans, government-sponsored student loans should be first on your list of options. Their terms are generally are more favorable consumer loans or credit-based educational loans. Eligibility is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Direct Federal Stafford Loans
Federal Stafford Loans are federally supported, low-interest student loans with flexible repayment options. Subsidized loans are offered to students who are eligible based on calculated financial eligibility, while unsubsidized loans are available for those who do not qualify for need-based financial aid. Federal loans require a student to be enrolled in 6 or more credits.
Direct Federal Stafford Loan amounts vary by grade level and student need. Grade levels are determined by earned credits, including accepted transfer credits. Up to 12 remedial credits count towards grade level progression.
Grade Level 1 0-29 credits earned
Grade Level 2 30-59 credits earned
Grade Level 3 60-89 credits earned
Grade Level 4 90-120 credits earned
The Federal government restricts the amount a student may borrow in federal loans, both on an annual and aggregate basis. Please review the following guidelines relating to loan limits:
| Grade Level | Depending Undergraduate Student | Independent Undergraduate Student |
| Grade Level 1 and Certificate Programs | $5,500 - Up to $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. | $9,500 - Up to $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. |
| Grade Level 2 | $6,500 - Up to $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. | $10,500 - Up to $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. |
| Grade Level 3 & 4 Bachelor Degree Programs | $7,500 - Up to $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. | $12,500 - Up to $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. |
| Lifetime Maximum Total Debt from Stafford and Director Loans (in each status) | $31,000 - Only $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. | $7,500 - Only $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. |
*Dependent undergraduate students whose parents have been denied a Federal Parent Loan are eligible to borrow at the independent undergraduate level. Students in undergraduate certificate programs or who are in the final semester of their academic program may be eligible for reduced amounts due to required prorating.
Direct Federal Plus Loan
Direct PLUS Loans are federal loans that the parents of dependent undergraduate students can borrow to help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. PLUS Loans application can range from $100 up to the total annual cost of education minus any financial aid. All borrowers must pass the PLUS Loan credit check criteria. Parents unable to meet the PLUS credit criteria may be able to borrow with a creditworthy “endorser, ” or a dependent undergraduate with a parent who has been credit denied on a Federal PLUS loan may be eligible to borrow a higher amount of unsubsidized loan.
Federal aid is generally disbursed to student accounts approximately 2 weeks following the add/drop period each semester. First-time borrowers are subject to a 30 day waiting period for federal loans. Any eligible credit balances are processed within 14 days.
Students attending an approved study abroad program are eligible for the same federal aid they receive when studying at BSC. Although we do not offer Study Abroad specific assistance, we may be able to increase your loan eligibility for travel expenses.
*Programs ineligible for institutional aid are RN-BSN, Medical Assisting Certificate, current Computer Science-evening division students, and current Heath Studies-evening division student.
International students are not eligible for institutional aid; except for student-athletes awarded the Esports scholarship and CA positions.
Private Lending for Higher Education
There are many ways to pay for higher education, and choosing the right approach requires a good understanding of your options, your responsibilities, and the various details of each lender's loan products. It's a lot to keep in mind. FastChoice makes it easy by providing you with information about private loans in an easy-to-understand format, to help you determine which private student loan best meets your needs.