Scholarships and Education Grants for Single Mothers in Massachusetts

Where to start

Types of education aid

Quick Massachusetts aid table

FAFSA, MASFA, and MASSAid

The FAFSA is the main application for federal student aid. It is also used for many Massachusetts and college awards. The federal deadline for the 2026–27 FAFSA is June 30, 2027, but school and state deadlines can be earlier.

MASFA is the Massachusetts state-aid application for certain students who cannot complete FAFSA. The 2026–27 MASFA remains open until June 30, 2027. The state tells students to complete only one main application: FAFSA or MASFA.

The MASSAid portal is used for some Massachusetts scholarship and grant applications. It also lets students check state-aid records. Save your login and check the portal for requests and status changes.

Federal student aid

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant maximum is $7,395 for the 2026–27 award year. That is a maximum, not a promised amount. Your award depends on federal rules, enrollment, remaining Pell eligibility, and the school’s cost calculation.

The ASMOM Pell and FAFSA guide explains the application and aid-offer steps in plain language.

FSEOG and work-study

The FSEOG grant is for students with high financial need at participating schools. Schools receive limited funds, so not every eligible student gets an award. Ask whether your school participates and whether funds remain.

Federal Work-Study is a part-time job program, not a grant paid at the start of the term. Ask whether jobs fit your class and child care schedule. You can turn down loans or accept less than the amount offered.

If your income changed

Ask the financial aid office for a special-circumstances or professional-judgment review if job loss, separation, lower income, loss of child support, or another major change makes the FAFSA information outdated. Approval is not automatic, and the school will ask for proof.

Massachusetts college aid

MassEducate

MassEducate makes tuition and required fees free for eligible students at Massachusetts public community colleges. It serves eligible students of any age and income who enroll in at least six credits, meet residency and aid rules, and do not already have a bachelor’s degree.

Students may also qualify for up to $1,200 for books and supplies based on income. Some may qualify for up to another $1,200 for other college costs. These allowances are not promised to every student, and the college decides the aid package after other grants and scholarships are counted.

MASSGrant Plus

MASSGrant Plus lowers costs at Massachusetts public four-year colleges and universities. Many lower-income students can have remaining tuition and fees covered after other grants. The program may also provide up to $1,200 for books and supplies.

Some students with higher family income may receive partial tuition and fee help. Income examples on the state page are estimates, not hard promises. Household size, assets, credits, school costs, and other aid matter.

MASSGrant

MASSGrant is need-based aid for eligible Massachusetts undergraduate residents. Students normally must enroll full-time in at least 12 credits, have no prior bachelor’s degree, and meet academic progress rules.

The May 1 deadline for 2026–27 has passed. Ask the school whether any correction, late filing, or other state-aid option applies. Do not assume a late FAFSA will produce a MASSGrant award.

Targeted scholarships and grants

Early Childhood Educators Scholarship

The ECE Scholarship helps eligible current or future early childhood and out-of-school-time educators in approved certificate, associate, bachelor’s, or master’s programs.

The 2026–27 application is open through September 1, 2026. Maximum awards depend on school type and credits. The posted semester maximums range from $3,150 at community colleges to $6,750 at UMass or private colleges. These are limits, not promised awards.

Recipients must meet employment or future-employment rules and may have to repay funds if they do not meet the service agreement. Applicants use FAFSA or MASFA, the MASSAid portal, and an EEC professional registry number.

Paraprofessional Teacher Grant

The Paraprofessional Grant helps eligible Massachusetts public school paraprofessionals work toward teacher certification. The 2026–27 application is open through September 1, 2026.

Posted annual maximums range from $6,300 at a community college to $13,500 at UMass or a private college. Recipients sign a service agreement to teach full-time in a Massachusetts public school. Failure to complete the required service can lead to repayment.

In-Demand Scholarship

The In-Demand Scholarship supports eligible students in approved public-college programs tied to Massachusetts workforce needs. It can cover tuition and fees and may include a books allowance, subject to program funding and rules.

The program requires a qualifying major, FAFSA or MASFA, at least a 3.0 college GPA, and satisfactory progress. Ask your school whether your program is on the current list and whether 2026–27 awards are being made.

High Demand Scholarship

The High Demand Scholarship has supported students in fields such as health, education, science, technology, social work, and business. However, Massachusetts says the 2026–27 application availability has not yet been determined. Check the state deadline page rather than using an old application date.

One Family Scholarship

The One Family Scholarship may help eligible heads of household with children under 18 who are low-income and homeless, recently homeless, or at risk of homelessness. Applicants must also be active in One Family services.

Funds may help with tuition, fees, and allowed living costs, but the scholarship is not open to every parent who applies. Contact One Family first to ask about service enrollment and the current application path.

Job training and shorter programs

A four-year degree is not the only path. A certificate, license, apprenticeship, or short course may lead to work sooner. Compare job openings, pay, schedule, child care, transport, and total cost before enrolling.

MassHire training funds

The MassHire training program lets eligible participants choose from locally approved courses. Each MassHire Workforce Board sets its own rules, and funding is not automatic.

Contact a MassHire Career Center before paying a deposit. Ask whether the course is approved and whether tuition, books, tests, tools, uniforms, transport, or other support may be covered.

DTA Pathways to Work

DTA Pathways to Work offers education, training, and employment help to some TAFDC and SNAP clients. TAFDC participants may also receive child care and transportation support for approved activities.

Ask your DTA worker whether your program is approved before enrolling. The SNAP help guide explains food assistance while you study, and the Massachusetts transport guide covers other travel-help paths.

Child care while you study

Child care assistance can help eligible Massachusetts families pay for child care or out-of-school care. Income-eligible families must show a service need, such as work, school, or job training.

Families apply through the MyChildCareMA portal. Eligible families may be placed on the statewide waitlist until funding becomes available. Do not plan your class schedule around immediate approval.

TAFDC families in approved education, training, or work activities may have a different DTA child care path. Ask your case manager before joining the general waitlist. Also ask your school about campus child care, parent grants, schedule changes, and the federal CCAMPIS program.

The Massachusetts child care guide has more local application details. The national baby essentials guide covers diapers and children’s basics while you study.

What to ask your school

Call financial aid before registering. Also contact the bursar, student services, campus foundation, advising office, and your academic department. Different offices may control different funds.

• Does this exact program qualify for federal and Massachusetts aid?
• What is the full cost after fees, books, supplies, travel, and child care?
• Can part-time students receive aid?
• Are emergency grants, completion grants, or book vouchers open?
• Does the school have child care or student-parent support?
• Can I borrow a laptop or internet hotspot?
• Will these credits transfer to another school?
• How would dropping a class affect my aid?

The phone and internet guide covers lower-cost connection options. The Massachusetts housing guide may help when rent or housing is the larger barrier.

Documents and information to gather

Not every program needs every item. Save clear digital copies and send private records only through official portals. The documents checklist can help you organize a larger file.

If aid is denied, delayed, or not enough

Ask for the exact reason in writing. Common causes include missing proof, a late state application, the wrong school code, an ineligible program, too few credits, a residency issue, a prior bachelor’s degree, or failure to meet satisfactory academic progress.

If your current finances are worse than the FAFSA shows, request professional judgment. If grades or completed credits caused the problem, ask for the satisfactory academic progress appeal policy, deadline, documents, and academic plan.

Save notices, upload receipts, screenshots, case numbers, and names. The denied benefits guide can help you organize the next step.