Grants & Work Study

Grants & Work-Study

Completing the FAFSA may qualify you for grants and Federal Work-Study. Grants provide funding that generally does not need to be repaid, while work-study allows eligible students to earn money through part-time employment.

Need-Based Grants

Students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, may be considered for federal, state and Dean College grants. Grants are generally based on financial need and typically do not need to be repaid. Potential sources include:

Federal Pell Grants

Awards up to $7,395 per academic year for exceptionally needy applicants. The Pell Grant is funded by the federal government and is determined based on the information provided on the FAFSA and enrollment status.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Awards ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 are awarded to high-need students. The FSEOG grant is federally funded and is determined based on the information provided on the FAFSA. FSEOG is contingent upon fund availability and is awarded on an appeal basis.

State Grants

State grants are based on information provided on your FAFSA and may be offered to eligible students. The Department of Education in each state determines a student's eligibility. Many states have application deadlines which can be found on the FAFSA website. The State of Massachusetts awards grants to eligible students who meet residency and financial criteria. Students must also have a valid FAFSA on file by May 1 of each year. 

The Massachusetts Gilbert Grant is awarded to full-time students who meet the criteria of the Massachusetts State Grant. Award amounts range from $1000-$1500 per academic year. The Gilbert Grant is contingent upon fund availability and is awarded on an appeal basis.

Additionally, Vermont and Pennsylvania currently allow students to use state grant funds from their home state to attend schools in Massachusetts. We recommend you contact your state agency for more information.

Dean Grants

In addition to Merit Scholarships, domestic students are considered for need-based institutional grants provided students successfully complete the FAFSA.

Federal Work-Study and Student Employment

Federal Work-Study gives eligible students the opportunity to earn money through part-time employment. Students are paid directly for the hours they work, and earnings can be used for personal or educational expenses.

Eligibility is determined through the FAFSA. A Federal Work-Study award does not guarantee a position or appear as a direct credit toward the student’s bill.

Students who do not qualify for Federal Work-Study may still apply for other campus employment opportunities.

If you are a current student, you can see available positions via Handshake.