Your financial aid package may come from many different award types, including federal, state, school, and private sources.
Open any of the below accordion menus for more detail on each source.
Financial Aid Award Types
Federal Pell Grant
Gift aid from the federal government. Awarded to high need students who are pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Awards depend on the student's enrollment status and Student Aid Index (SAI).
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Gift aid from the federal government administered by the University. Priority for this grant is given to the highest need students. Available to undergraduate students who are pursuing their first undergraduate degree and are enrolled at least half time.
MA State Grant
Gift aid from the state government. Awarded to full-time undergraduate students who have been a resident of Massachusetts for at least one year (parents of dependent students must also meet residency criteria). For more information, contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance. Awards depend on the student's SAI.
MA Cash Grant
Available to Massachusetts residents who are enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate degree program. Award can not exceed the cost of tuition and fees.
MA Part-Time Grant
Available to Massachusetts residents enrolled part-time in an undergraduate degree program. Eligibility is dependent on the student's SAI.
Tuition Waiver
Available to Massachusetts residents enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate day school program. Award can not exceed the cost of tuition.
Mass Transfer Tuition Waiver
Available to students who have completed an approved Mass Transfer program at a Massachusetts community college, who have earned a minimum 3.0 grade point average at the time of graduation and who have enrolled in a linked undergraduate day school program at Fitchburg State University. The award equals billed in-state tuition.
MSCBA Grant
Need based grant funding provided by the Massachusetts State University Building Authority for qualifying students residing in the dormitories. Average award amounts varies, not to exceed 50% of billed semester housing costs.
Special Fee Grant
Institutional funds awarded to out-of-state students with high financial need.
Fitchburg State University Fee Grant
Institutional funds awarded to undergraduate students with high financial need.
For a description on how your eligibility for financial aid is determined, university billing and refund procedures, alternative financing options and helpful hints and phone numbers: Financial Aid Award Guide (PDF)
To apply for undergraduate student loans, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required.
To apply for graduate student loans, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required.
New Students
When you apply to Fitchburg State, you are automatically reviewed for all of the merit scholarships for which you are eligible.
Complete the FAFSA by February 15 in order to be considered for all available scholarship awards. If you are awarded, you will be notified by the Admissions Office.
If you’re awarded, you must meet certain academic standards in order to remain eligible for your scholarship each year.
Returning Students
Returning students must apply for scholarships on Academic Works. When you complete the general application you will be matched to scholarships that you qualify for here at Fitchburg State. The application opens every year in October for the upcoming academic year.
Graduate Scholarships - view all the available scholarships for graduate students.
The State University Internship Incentive Program (SUIIP) is a state and university funded program that provides financial support to students participating in internships.
Qualifying internships can range from 3 to 12 credits per semester. Students in all majors may qualify, but priority will be given to students enrolled in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field. Scholarships are currently available for Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 and awards will range from $500 to $5,000 to cover tuition, fees, and expenses.
In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:
- Massachusetts Resident
- U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Have a valid 2024-2025 FAFSA on file with the financial aid office
- Have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
- Be enrolled as a full time undergraduate day student
- Not yet earned a bachelor’s degree
Applications should be submitted through the SUIIP Application (Dynamic Forms)
Please note that submission of an application does not guarantee receipt of scholarship funds. Students will be notified via letter of eligibility and award amounts.
Graduate Assistant Program - a limited number of Graduate Assistantships are available at Fitchburg State. Current and entering graduate students are eligible for these positions.