Massachusetts Public Service Grant
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance
Open now · due May 1, 2027Renews each year
Covers tuition for children or surviving spouses of Massachusetts police, firefighters or corrections officers killed in the line of duty, and children of MA veterans killed in action or POW/MIA.
- How much
- full-time annual tuition at a MA public college; UMass Amherst tuition equivalent at a MA independent college
- Who qualifies
- Child or surviving spouse of a MA police officer, firefighter or corrections officer killed in the line of duty; child of a MA-credited POW/MIA (Southeast Asia, Feb 1, 1955 through the Vietnam campaign); or child of a MA-credited veteran killed in action or who died from that service
- Massachusetts resident (physically residing in MA for at least one year before the term starts, with intent to remain). Full-time (12+ credits) in a certificate, associate or bachelor's program at an accredited MA public or independent 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
- Open now · due May 1, 2027 Annual; 2026-27 applications due to OSFA by May 1, 2027. Must reapply each year.
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA (or MASFA) and send the 2026-2027 first-time Public Service Grant application with documentation to OSFA by May 1, 2027
- Renewing students submit the renewal application each year
- What you'll need
- FAFSA + state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (mass.edu), page 2 and page 3
The details
Entitlement (not need-based). At a Massachusetts public college the award equals the school's full-time annual tuition; at a Massachusetts independent college it equals full-time annual tuition at UMass Amherst. Not automatically renewed: reapply every year.
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.