Frequently Asked Questions

What is financial aid?

Financial Aid is money awarded to the student to cover the costs of tuition, fees and other costs related to school such as books. 

There are 3 kinds of financial aid:

1. Grants & Scholarships (money you don’t have to pay back)
2. Student loans (money you will later have to pay back)
3. Work Study (part time jobs at the school or the community)

What is a PIN and how do I get one?

A PIN is a personal identification number that can be used to sign your financial aid application online and also make corrections.  Using your PIN will make the application process go faster.  To get one, go to www.pin.ed.gov

What is a FAFSA?

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the application that you complete when requesting financial aid from both the Federal and State Governments.  It can be completed on-line or on paper version that is mailed in.

Is there an application deadline?

The deadline for the FAFSA is June 30th at the end of the school year for which you are applying.  It is best to complete the FAFSA before May 1st in order to be considered for the most amount of aid since Massachusetts does not give out full time grants to those students whose applications are processed after this date. 

How do I know if I’m eligible for Financial Aid?

You must be either a U.S. Citizen or have permanent resident status. Eligibility is determined by a U.S. Department of Education formula.  Your college then determines the amount based on this determination and will notify you.

What is the definition of “Dependent Status”?

You are a dependent if you are under the age of 24 prior to January of the current school year and answer no to each of the following questions:

• At the beginning of the school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program?
• As of today are you married?
• Do you have child(ren) that receives more than half their support from you?
• Do you have dependents (other than children or spouse) who live with you and receive more than half their support from you?
• Are both of your parents deceased, or are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?
• Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
• Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?