Scholarships, Grants & Loans

Bay State College is thrilled to announce new merit and need-based institutional scholarship opportunities for the 2019-2020 academic year. Awards are based on financial need, academic standing, and program of study. Some programs are ineligible for institutional scholarships.* International students are not eligible for institutional aid, with the exception for certain aid resources* To be considered for need-based scholarships, complete your FAFSA online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov by the priority deadline of March 31st.

To apply for financial aid, please complete your FAFSA online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov to determine your eligibility for aid.  Institutional aid is on a first come first serve basis after the priority deadline has passed. The state of Massachusetts has a deadline of May 1st to submit your FAFSA for state grants. 

Institutional Scholarships

 

Need-Based Scholarships

Institutionally-funded need-based grants are awarded annually to students who have exceptional financial need as determined by the completed FAFSA results, and who meet the application priority deadline.

Bay State Scholarship

Award maximum up to $10,000 annually. Bay State College reviews multiple factors to determine need, including but not limited to: FAFSA results, enrollment/academic status, and program of study.*

Merit-Based Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships awarded in recognition of outstanding academic achievement, regardless of students' financial need. Scholarships are awarded annually to second, third and fourth year students who meet all academic standards and required enrollment statuses. No application required for these merit-based scholarships. 

Dean's Scholarship

Students who achieve a term Grade Point Average (GPA) between 3.40-3.69 in a given semester may be eligible to receive the Dean's Scholarship. Award amount will be determined based upon enrollment status and program of study. The scholarship is applied to the student's next scheduled semester at Bay State College.

Presidential Scholarship

Students who achieve a term Grade Point Average (GPA) between 3.70-4.00 in a given semester may be eligible to receive the Presidential Scholarship. Award amount will be determined based upon enrollment status and program of study. The scholarship is applied to the student's next scheduled semester at Bay State College.

Additional Scholarships

Esports Scholarship

Bay State College offers a competitive Esports program, which offers scholarships to a limited number of program participants. Must meet standards set forth by all current or future governing bodies concerning Esports and gaming at Bay State College, or the Esports Student-athlete partakes in while enrolled at Bay State College. No application is required.

Accepted Student Day Scholarship

Bay State College holds an annual event on campus for accepted incoming new students. A limited number of scholarships are awarded to those students in attendance. Must meet standards set forth by application provided by Bay State College.

DECA Scholarship 

DECA is a student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in college and high schools across the world. DECA is organized into two unique student divisions each with programs designed to address the learning styles, interest and focus of its members. The High School Division includes 200,000 members in 3,500 schools. The Collegiate Division includes over 15,000 members in 275 colleges and university. 

Garden Hall Scholarship

Community Advisors (CA's) are upper-class students at Bay State College who reside in each building. CA's are live-in staff whose purpose is to aid in the development of those students who reside in the building. Each CA is responsible for students in his or her building and is there to guide them through their college experience. Recognition for this position covers campus housing including a meal plan each semester. Scholarship requires interview and application.

Musco Scholarship

The Louis F. Musco Award is presented to a first-year student at graduation who combines good scholastic ability with outstanding college participation during their first year at Bay State College. The scholarship is applied to the student's second year at Bay State College. Recipients of this award must attend full-time for the academic year. 

Brennan Scholarship

The George J Brennan Jr. Award is presented to a first-year student at graduation who has attained the highest academic average during their first year at Bay State College. The scholarship is applied to the student's second year at Bay State College. Recipients of this award must attend full-time for the academic year. 

Leadership Scholarships

Candidates are nominated for the Leadership Scholarships on the basis of achievement within a positions of the Bay State College Community.  

• Community Service Award
• Work-Study of the Year
• Student Leader of the Year
• Clinical Excellence Award

Institutional scholarships are disbursed on the 60th day of the fall and spring semesters, unless otherwise noted. Prior to disbursement, amounts are adjusted to reflect the current enrollment status. If a student's account is past due, or their GPA is below the minimum requirement, the awards are forfeited. Awards are prorated for less than full time enrollment; must be enrolled in 9 or more credits to be considered. Please note that institutional aid is subject to change. Please contact the Financial Aid Office with any questions.

Funds are limited, so be sure to complete your Admission application, and your FAFSA early! Bay State's priority deadline in March 31st. 

Federal and State Grants

Federal and state grants are awarded to students based on calculated financial eligibility, which is determined by information provided on the FAFSA and by criteria established by the federal government.  Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), is required annually for consideration for all federal and state financial aid programs offered by Bay State College. 

Federal Pell Grants

Awarded to students who demonstrate substantial financial need, based on the Federal Pell Grant Formula and information submitted on the FAFSA.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

SEOG is funded by the Federal government with a matching contribution from Bay State College to assistance students with exceptional financial need. In keeping with federal regulations, funds are awarded to students with the lowest expected family contribution (EFC) and the greatest financial need, usually Federal Pell Grant recipients.

Massachusetts State Grant 

Funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and awarded by Bay State College to Massachusetts residents. To qualify, you must meet financial need and other eligibility requirements established by the Commonwealth.

Massachusetts State Part-Time Grant

Funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and awarded by Bay State College to Massachusetts residents. To qualify, you must enroll on a part-time basis (6-11 credits) and meet financial need and other eligibility requirements established by the Commonwealth.

Student Employment

Students can access employment opportunities both on-and off-campus. There are several reasons to work while attending Bay State College. One advantage is you can minimize borrowing by earning money for your college expenses. Student employment also provides an excellent opportunity to obtain transferable job skills.

Federal Work Study Program

Federal Work-Study is a form of financial aid for eligible students with financial need that provides part-time jobs to earn money to help pay education expenses. Awarded to students directly who demonstrate financial need and meet certain eligibility requirements. Since Federal Work-Study funding is limited, is important to file the FAFSA before the priority deadline if interested in obtaining Federal Work-Study.

Veteran Benefits/Yellow Ribbon Program

Bay State College is pleased to participate in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program. Qualified Veterans and their dependents are eligible for Yellow Ribbon institutional matching funds from the College. Only Veteran entitled to the maximum benefit rate, as determined by service requirements, or their designated transferees may receive Yellow Ribbon funding. To determine eligibility, contact a VA counselor or visit the VA website. 

Federal Loans

If you decide to finance some of your educational expenses through loans, government sponsored student loans should be first on your list of options. Their terms are generally are more favorable consumer loans or credit-based educational loans. Eligibility is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Direct Federal Stafford Loans

Federal Stafford Loans are federally supported, low-interest student loans with flexible repayment options. Subsidized loans are offered to students who are eligible based on calculated financial eligibility, while unsubsidized loans are available for those who do not qualify for need-based financial aid. Federal loans require a student to be enrolled in 6 or more credits.

Direct Federal Stafford Loan amounts vary by grade level and student need.  Grade levels are determined by earned credits, including accepted transfer credits.  Up to 12 remedial credits count towards grade level progression.

Grade Level 1     0-23 credits earned

Grade Level 2     24-47 credits earned

Grade Level 3     48 credits earned and above 

The Federal government restricts the amount a student may borrow in federal loans, both on an annual and aggregate basis.  Please review the following guidelines relating to loan limits:

 

Grade Level	Dependent Undergraduate Student	Independent Undergraduate Student
Grade Level 1 and Certificate Programs	$5,500—Up to $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.	$9,500—Up to $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Grade Level 2	$6,500—Up to $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.	$10,500—Up to $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Grade Level 3 and 4              Bachelor’s Degree Programs	$7,500—Up to $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.	$12,500—Up to $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Lifetime Maximum Total Debt from Stafford and Direct Loans (in each status)	$31,000—Only $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.	$57,500—Only $23,000 of this amount may be subsidized loans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Dependent undergraduate students whose parents have been denied a Federal Parent Loan are eligible to borrow at the independent undergraduate level. Students in undergraduate certificate programs or who are in the final semester of their academic program may be eligible for reduced amounts due to required prorating.

 

Direct Federal Plus Loan

Direct PLUS Loans are federal loans that the parents of dependent undergraduate student can borrow to help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. PLUS Loans application can range from $100 up to the total annual cost of education minus any financial aid. All borrower must pass the PLUS Loan credit check criteria. Parents unable to meet the PLUS credit criteria may be able to borrow with a creditworthy “endorser, ” or a dependent undergraduate with a parent who has been credit denied on a Federal PLUS loan may be eligible to borrow a higher amount of unsubsidized loan.

Federal aid is generally disbursed to student accounts approximately 2 weeks following the add/drop period each semester. First time borrowers are subject to a 30 day waiting period for federal loans. Any eligible credit balances are processed within 14 days.

Students attending an approved study abroad program are eligible for the same federal aid they receive when studying at BSC. Although we do not offer Study Abroad specific assistance, we may be able to increase your loan eligibility for travel expenses.

*Programs ineligible for institutional aid are RN-BSN, Medical Assisting Certificate, current Information Technology-evening division students and current Heath Studies-evening division student. 

International students are not eligible for institutional aid; except for student-athletes awarded the Esports scholarship and CA positions.