Massachusetts High Demand Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
Overview
The Massachusetts High Demand Scholarship Program was established by the Massachusetts Legislature to promote economic growth by helping students complete degrees in fields with strong workforce demand. The scholarship provides financial support to reduce educational costs for students pursuing high-need programs that address the Commonwealth’s workforce priorities.
2025–2026 Application
The 2025–2026 application cycle is open to students enrolled at Massachusetts public and independent colleges and universities who are pursuing degrees in high-demand areas, including Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Health Professions; Education; Social Work; Criminal Justice; Economics; and Business.
Who is eligible?
To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be a Massachusetts resident for at least one year as of the start of the enrolled term and demonstrate an intent to remain in Massachusetts in a manner consistent with the Board of Higher Education’s policy.
- Have an approved eligibility status as a High School Completer under the Massachusetts tuition equity law, or be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or a non-citizen who is eligible for federal Title IV student aid.
- Have submitted a financial aid application via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a FAFSA-equivalent form authorized by the Department of Higher Education.
- Be enrolled in an eligible program of study classified as a designated high-need field at a public or independent institution in Massachusetts.
- Not already hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
- Maintain a minimum college-level GPA of 3.0 on coursework completed after high school graduation.
- Note: New first-year students beginning college in Fall 2025 may apply for the scholarship but must achieve and maintain a 3.0 GPA after enrollment in order to retain eligibility.
Eligible institutions and programs
For 2025–2026, eligible institutions include public and independent colleges and universities located in Massachusetts. Programs qualifying for the High Demand Scholarship are identified by their CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) codes. A complete list of eligible programs (by CIP code) is available online through the Department of Higher Education.