Need-based Aid
Grants & Loans
By submitting your completed FAFSA and enrolling in at least 6 credits, you may be eligible for the following grants or loans.
Federal Pell Grant
- Federal grant administered by the U.S. Department of Education
- Eligibility determined by demonstrated financial need
- Available to undergraduate students
- For 2023-2024, awards range from $392 to $7,395 depending on eligibility
Federal Teach Grant
- Federal grant administered by the university
- Provides up to $4,000 per year
- Available to eligible graduate students who agree to serve as a full-time, highly-qualified teacher in a high-need subject area in a designated low-income school for at least 4 years within 8 years of graduating
- Applicants must meet certain academic achievement requirements (i.e. maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25)
- May need to be repaid if student does not fulfill teacher service agreement
For additional information contact Traci Almeida, Coordinator of Graduate Admissions and Licensure: talmeida@umassd.edu or 508.999.8098
Massachusetts Grant (MassGrant) Program
- State-funded grant program administered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Eligibility determined by demonstrated financial need
- Available to undergraduate students enrolled full-time (12+ credits) who are a legal resident of Massachusetts
- FAFSA must be filed each year by July 1
Mass Part-time Grant
- State funded grant program administered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Eligibility determined by demonstrated financial need and available funds
- Available to undergraduate students enrolled in 6-11 credits who are a legal resident of Massachusetts
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
Borrowers must:
- Be an undergraduate
- Demonstrate financial need based on their Student Aid Index (SAI)
- Be enrolled at least half-time in a degree or an eligible certificate program
- If a first-time borrower: submit Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note for Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans online
- Complete Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling online after graduating, withdrawing, or dropping beneath half-time enrollment
Loan amounts are based on earned academic credits:
- 6-29 credits: $3,500
- 30-59 credits: $4,500
- 60 or more credits: $5,500
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
Borrowers must:
- Be enrolled at least half-time in a degree or an eligible certificate program
- If a first-time borrower: submit Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note for Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans online
- Complete Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling online after graduating, withdrawing or dropping beneath half-time enrollment
Loan Amounts are based on earned academic credits and dependency status.
Dependent students: $2,000
Independent students:
- 6-29 credits: $6,000
- 30-59 credits: $6,000
- 60 or more credits: $7,000
Parent borrowers denied a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan may help their dependent student qualify for an additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan of $4,000 for lower-level students and $5,000 for upper-level students.
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
Dependent students must:
- Be enrolled at least half-time in a degree or an eligible certificate program
Parent borrowers must:
- Be either the student's biological or adoptive parent
- Complete a Direct PLUS Loan Application for Parents
- If a first-time borrower: submit a PLUS Master Promissory Note for Parents online
Parents may borrow up to their students' cost of attendance per award year.
Interest accrues immediately after the first disbursement. Repayment begins 45-60 days after the second disbursement. Deferred repayment options are available.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
Borrowers must:
- Be a graduate/professional student
- Be enrolled at least half-time in a degree or eligible certificate program
- Complete a Direct PLUS Loan Application for Graduate/Professional Students
- If a first-time borrower: submit Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and a PLUS Master Promissory Note for Graduate/Professional Students
- Complete Exit Counseling online after graduating, withdrawing, or dropping beneath half-time enrollment
Interest accrues immediately after the first disbursement. Repayment begins 45-60 days after the second disbursement. Deferred repayment options are available.