Admissions Scholarships: New and Transfer Students

The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship awards non-need-based, state-supported undergraduate tuition waivers to students who are awarded John and Abigail Adams Scholarship by the Department of Education.

Eligibility requirements can be found online at the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Office of Student Financial Assistance (www.osfa.mass.edu).

To continue receiving the Adams Scholarship, you must continue to enroll full-time; maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0* on all college work; and continue to complete the FAFSA annually. The scholarship may be awarded to eligible students for a maximum of eight semesters (not including summer terms) of enrollment, which must occur within six years following high school graduation.

* NOTE: if the student drops below the required 3.0 GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.

There is no application process for the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. Students that are eligible will be notified in the Fall of their senior year in high school.

Forward a copy of your letter from the Department of Education to the Financial Aid Office. If you have misplaced your letter, call 617-391-6070.

If you have transferred to UMass Dartmouth from another college/university, please forward a copy of your Adams letter to the Financial Aid Office. We will contact your previous school to verify you have maintained a minimum GPA of 3.0 on all college work.

First year applicants with a minimum combined SAT I Math & Critical Reading score of 1200 or ACT score of 27; and have a minimum 3.3 grade point average will automatically be considered for this scholarship.

Renewable for three additional years as long as students complete at least 24 credits each academic year (fall and spring semesters) and maintain a grade point average of 3.0.

If the student completes less than 24-credits per academic year and/or falls below the required 3.0 GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.

Application for admission and subsequent acceptance to UMD will automatically allow students to be considered.

Eligible students are those who are graduating from a two-year college (public or private) with a grade point average of 3.25 or better and have completed their associate degree program by the start of their enrollment at UMass Dartmouth will automatically be considered for this scholarship.

Annually renewable for up to four semesters as long as students complete 18-credits a year (fall and spring semesters) and maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average.

If the student completes less than 18-credits per academic year and falls below the required 3.0 GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.

Application for admission and subsequent acceptance to UMD will automatically allow students to be considered.

The Endeavor Scholarship is a four-year merit scholarship for new first-year students who have demonstrated both academic success and strong commitment to serving the community.

The Endeavor Scholarship pays for tuition, mandatory fees, and standard room and board. The scholarship is applied after the student has been awarded financial aid and may change if the student's financial award has changed.

The award will be for a total of no more than eight semesters (fall and spring semesters only) and is renewable each year as long as recipients meet all of the following requirements:

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 in full-time study (12+ credits per semester).

• Be in good disciplinary standing by adhering to the University's Code of conduct and exemplifying principles of integrity and civility.

• Participate fully in the academic and co-curricular programs and activities associated with the Endeavor Scholars Program.

• Apply each year for need-based financial aid (FAFSA) and accept all federal, state, and private grants for which they are eligible.

Students applying to be Endeavor Scholars should expect a rigorous leadership training program and a significant time commitment to service.

To learn more about this program and to apply, please visit the Endeavors Scholarship site.

Application deadline is January 1.

To be eligible to apply for this Certificate of Mastery Award, a student must be:

• Currently enrolled in a MA public high school. (Students who have graduated high school are not eligible to apply.)

• Be a permanent Massachusetts resident

• Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen

• To qualify as a Candidate for the Certificate of Mastery, a student must score "Advanced on at least one grade 10 MCAS test subject, and score "Proficient" on the remaining sections fo the grade 10 MCAS.

For additional qualification requirements and how to apply, please visit the MA Department of Education website.

If selected, please send a copy of your Koplik Certificate to the Bursar's Office located in the Foster Adminstration Building, 2nd floor.

For exceptionally well-qualified students who are residents of Massachusetts and who have shown outstanding academic achievement and potential. Recipients must have:

• A cumulative weighted grade point average of at least 3.75 after 7 semesters, or a ranking in the top 5 percent of their class;

• A combined SAT I Math & Critical Reading score of at least 1400 or ACT score of 32;

• Demonstrated through participation in activities and programs a potential to make meaningful contributions to the university, their communities, and society.

This scholarship is renewable for three additional years as long as the student maintains a 3.25 grade point average and completes at least 30 credits each year (fall and spring semesters).

If the student completes less than 30-credits per academic year and falls below the required 3.25 GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.

Application for admission and subsequent acceptance to UMD will automatically allow students to be considered. 

This program allows a high school valedictorian to become eligible to receive a waiver of tuition at any public higher education institution in Massachusetts.

To be eligible for this program a student must be designated by a public or private high school in the state as a valedictorian; be enrolled in a degree program at UMD; be a permanent legal resident of MA for at least one year prior to the opening of the academic year; be in compliance with applicable law regarding Selective Service Registration; and not be in default of any Federal or State student loans or owe a refund for any previous financial aid received.

A student must submit a letter from the principal or superintendent of their high school informing that he/she is class valedictorian.

More information can be found on the MA Department of Higher Education Office of Student Financial Assistance website.