Massachusetts benefits for college students

Food assistance: SNAP

Massachusetts's name for SNAP, run by Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). If you are enrolled at least half-time, you need a student exemption to qualify, such as working 20 hours a week, work-study or caring for a young child. If you are enrolled less than half-time, the student rule does not apply and only the regular SNAP rules do. See every exemption →

DTA's work rules say students enrolled at least half-time at a college, university, trade, technical, vocational, correspondence or online school must meet certain extra eligibility criteria, and DTA staff will say if proof of student eligibility is needed. DTA's SNAP Path to Work program offers free education and training, including certificate programs at community colleges, and DTA can help pay for transportation.

Apply for SNAP

Health coverage: MassHealth

Massachusetts has expanded Medicaid, so adults with low incomes, students included, can qualify based on income. All your health coverage options →

Apply for MassHealth

Child care help: Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA)

Going to college or training counts as an approved activity in this state. A parent's 'service need' can be participating in an education, training or job search program (working is another). Families join a waitlist; priority groups include families earning 50% or less of State Median Income and parents younger than 24. Families on SNAP can get a DTA referral (no waitlist) only if they are also in a SNAP Path to Work program.

Apply for Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) · Help on campus (CCAMPIS) →

Phone and internet: Lifeline

We found no extra state Lifeline discount on Massachusetts's official pages, so the federal discount applies. Who qualifies →

Apply for Lifeline

Taxes

For people with low or moderate earned income who meet the federal EITC rules; the Massachusetts credit equals 40% of the federal credit. MassTaxConnect lets you e-file your Massachusetts return for free if you were a full-year resident who has filed a Massachusetts return before (part-year residents and nonresidents qualify for 2023 returns onward if they filed a Massachusetts return before). You need to register on MassTaxConnect first.

Massachusetts Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) · Free state filing · Federal education tax credits → · Free federal filing →

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