DCF Adopted Child Tuition Waiver and Fee Assistance
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance
Apply any timeRenews each year
100% of tuition and fees at Massachusetts public colleges for students age 24 or under who were adopted through DCF by a MA resident or state employee.
- How much
- 100% of resident tuition and fees for state-supported courses
- Who qualifies
- Adopted from DCF custody by an eligible Massachusetts resident or state employee
- Age 24 or under at the start of the academic year; full-, half- or part-time at a MA public college; no prior bachelor's degree; satisfactory academic progress. Not in default on student loans and no state aid refund owed.
- For students starting college, undergrads
- U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or Title IV-eligible noncitizen; or a state-approved eligibility status under the Massachusetts tuition equity law (MASFA filers)
- When to apply
- Apply any time No deadline; eligibility verified by DCF and the college.
- How to apply
- Get eligibility documents from DCF ((617) 748-2000, subsidy.unit@mass.gov), file the FAFSA (or MASFA), and give them to your public college's financial aid office
- What you'll need
- FAFSA only
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (mass.edu) and page 2
The details
Covers 100% of resident tuition and fees (subject to appropriation) for state-supported courses at MA public colleges (not graduate courses or UMass Medical MD courses), regardless of adoption date. The adoptive parent must have been an eligible state employee or MA resident at the time of adoption.
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
- Commonwealth Commitmenttuition and fees frozen + 10% rebate each semester + MassTransfer tuition credit
- Community College Nursing Scholarshipremaining tuition, fees, books and supplies after other grants
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.