Overview
In August 2023, Massachusetts passed a Tuition Equity Law that created a pathway allowing all students, namely undocumented students, to access state higher education benefits through the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA).
These benefits include in-state tuition at Massachusetts public institutions, and eligibility for state financial aid programs at public and private higher education institutions in Massachusetts.
Eligibility
To be eligible for state financial aid through the Tuition Equity Law, you must be what we call a “High School Completer.” To be a “High School Completer” you must have:
Attended high school in Massachusetts for at least three (3) academic years;
Earned a diploma or the equivalent (GED/HiSET) in Massachusetts; AND
Provided one of the following documents:
A valid Social Security Number (SSN),
A document reflecting the issuance of an individual taxpayer identification number,
A document of registration with selective service (if applicable), OR
If you cannot provide one of the above three documents, if you are not a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States, you can provide a completed DHE Affidavit stating that you will file an application to become a citizen or legal permanent resident within 120 days after you become eligible to do so.
Fill Out the MASFA
Fill out the MASFA and the Tuition Equity Form:
Complete the Tuition Equity form and send it to the Massachusetts colleges of your choice:
Complete the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA) online.
The MASFA will automatically be sent to the Massachusetts colleges of your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For questions about the MASFA or the Department’s state financial assistance programs please contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance at 617-391-6070 or osfa@osfa.mass.edu.
Q: Will my information be shared?
A: No. Student or family information submitted to established eligibility as a High School Completer is protected from disclosure under state law.
Q: Will students be asked their parents’ legal immigration status in order to apply for instate tuition?
A: No. The application does not ask for parents' immigration status, but parents will need to provide an SSN or ITIN if they have one.
Q: Can students currently classified as out-of-state have their tuition status changed to in-state?
A: Yes. State-funded public institutions have a process called reclassification, which allows students to convert to in-state status. A student can submit the Student Application and Affidavit form to be eligible for High School Completer status.
Beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year and beyond, retroactive reclassifications for Massachusetts state financial aid decisions are limited to the beginning of the semester when final reclassification decisions are made.
Q: How does a student meet the high school requirement?
A: A student must attend at least three academic years of high school, or district-approved homeschooling (9th-12th grade) in Massachusetts. Any combination of three years of enrollment is acceptable. The school may be public or private, but must be physically located within Massachusetts. A student must also receive a high school diploma or the equivalent (GED/HiSET).