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Admissions Merit Scholarships

File your FAFSA

File your FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. 

Financial aid awards for fall 2024

This year (2024-2025 academic year) it will be easier for families to complete the FAFSA with the streamlined FAFSA application. The new FAFSA form is now available. UMassD anticipates sending award letters in late spring.

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is not required for merit-based awards but is encouraged for consideration of additional scholarships.

First year students

To be considered for this scholarship, students must:

  • be a first-year applicant
  • possess a minimum combined SAT Math & Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 1000 or ACT score of 20
  • have a minimum 2.7 grade point average (GPA)

The Admissions Award is granted for a total of four years (eight semesters) as long as the student maintains full-time status (12 day credits each semester), earns 24 day credits per academic year and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

If the student drops below full-time status (less than 12 day credits per semester), does not earn 24 day credits and/or falls below the required 3.0 GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.

Online & Continuing Education courses and charges are not covered by this program. The award may be decreased based on final institutional and direct charges or a change to a student’s cost of attendance (including but not limited to tuition, room, board, and /or any applicable fees) and will not be refunded.

To be considered for this scholarship, students must:

  • be a first-year applicant
  • possess a minimum combined SAT Math & Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 1200 or ACT score of 25
  • have a minimum 3.8 grade point average (GPA)

The Chancellor’s Scholarship is granted for a total of four years (eight semesters) as long as the student maintains 

full-time status (12 day credits each semester), earns 24 day credits per academic year and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

If the student drops below full-time status (less than 12 day credits per semester), does not earn 24 day credits and/or falls below the required 3.0 GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.

Online & Continuing Education courses and charges are not covered by this program. The award may be decreased based on final institutional and direct charges or a change to a student’s cost of attendance (including but not limited to tuition, room, board, and /or any applicable fees) and will not be refunded.

To be considered for this scholarship, students must:

  • be a first-year applicant
  • possess a minimum combined SAT Math & Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 1100 or ACT score of 22
  • have a minimum 3.4 grade point average

The Dean’s Scholarship is granted for a total of four years (eight semesters) as long as the student maintains full-time status (12 day credits each semester), earns 24 day credits per academic year and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

If the student drops below full-time status (less than 12 day credits per semester), does not earn 24 day credits and/or falls below the required 3.0 GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.

Online & Continuing Education courses and charges are not covered by this program. The award may be decreased based on final institutional and direct charges or change to a student’s cost of attendance (including but not limited to tuition, room, board, and /or any applicable fees) and will not be refunded.

To be considered for this scholarship, which covers undergraduate day tuition and fees, students must:

  • Be 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 (old SAT) or 1450 (new SAT) 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 pays for mandatory tuition and fees.

The University Commonwealth is valid for a total of four years (eight semesters) as long as the student maintains a 3.25 cumulative GPA and completes at least 30 day credits each academic year (15 day credits Fall and 15 day credits Spring semesters).  

If the student completes fewer than 30 credits per academic year and/or falls below the required 3.25 cumulative GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.

Online & Continuing Education courses and charges are not covered by this program. The award may be decreased based on final institutional and direct charges or change to a student’s cost of attendance (including but not limited to tuition, room, board, and /or any applicable fees) and will not be refunded.

Transfer students

To automatically be considered for this scholarship, students must:

  • have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher at the time of application

The scholarship is valid for a total of three years (six semesters) as long as student remains full time (12 day credits) each semester and maintains a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

If the student drops below full time (less than 12 day credits) per semester and/or falls below the required 3.0 GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.

Online & Continuing Education courses and charges are not covered by this program. The award may be decreased based on final institutional and direct charges or change to a student’s cost of attendance (including but not limited to tuition, room, board, and /or any applicable fees) and will not be refunded.

To automatically be considered for this scholarship, students must:

  • have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher at the time of application

The scholarship is valid for a total of three years (six semesters) as long as student remains full time (12 day credits) each semester and maintains a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

If the student drops below full time (less than 12 day credits) per semester and/or falls below the required 3.0 GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.

Online & Continuing Education courses and charges are not covered by this program. The award may be decreased based on final institutional and direct charges or change to a student’s cost of attendance (including but not limited to tuition, room, board, and /or any applicable fees) and will not be refunded.

To automatically be considered for this scholarship, students must:

  • students must be an active member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and submit a copy of their Membership Certificate to the Admissions Office
  • have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher at the time of application

The scholarship is valid for a total of three years (six semesters) as long as student remains full time (12 day credits) each semester and maintains a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

If the student drops below full time (less than 12 day credits) per semester and/or falls below the required 3.0 GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.

Online & Continuing Education courses and charges are not covered by this program. The award may be decreased based on final institutional and direct charges or change to a student’s cost of attendance (including but not limited to tuition, room, board, and /or any applicable fees) and will not be refunded.

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