Commonwealth Commitment
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance
Frozen tuition and fees plus a 10% rebate every semester for Massachusetts students who start at a community college and finish a bachelor's at a state university or UMass on time with a 3.0 GPA.
- How much
- tuition and fees frozen + 10% rebate each semester + MassTransfer tuition credit
- Who qualifies
- Massachusetts resident; starts at a MA community college; continuous full-time enrollment; A2B Mapped pathway; associate degree within 2.5 years and bachelor's within 2 years after transfer.
- For students starting college, undergrads, transfer students
- When to apply
- Apply any time No fixed date; the participation form must be submitted before you earn 15 credits at the community college.
- How to apply
- Meet with your community college advisor in your first semester, choose an A2B Mapped major, and submit the Commonwealth Commitment Student Participation Form before earning 15 credits
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (mass.edu) and page 2
The details
Students who sign up before earning 15 credits at a MA community college, follow an A2B Mapped pathway, finish the associate degree within 2.5 years, transfer to a state university or UMass, and finish the bachelor's within 2 more years (full-time throughout, 3.0+ GPA) get: tuition and fees frozen at the rate when they signed up, a 10% rebate of tuition and fees at the end of each completed semester, the MassTransfer Tuition Credit, guaranteed admission and credit transfer, and waived application fees, essays and recommendation letters. Housing and books are not covered.
More money from Massachusetts
- MASSGrantup to $2,590 per year (2026-27; varies by SAI and type of school)
- Massachusetts Gilbert Matching Student Grant$200 to $2,500 per year
- Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarshipup to 50% of calculated financial need per year
- Community College Nursing Scholarshipremaining tuition, fees, books and supplies after other grants
- Free Community College (MassEducate and MassReconnect)full tuition and fees at a MA community college, plus up to $1,200 per year for books and supplies for lower-income students
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.