Eligibility Criteria

You must meet the following criteria to be considered for financial aid:

• Be admitted to an eligible program. Please note that undeclared majors are not eligible for financial aid.
• For most programs, you should enroll in at least six credits each semester.  However, students with very low income may qualify for as little as one class per semester.
• Demonstrate financial need as determined by filing the FAFSA.
• Have a complete financial aid file as outlined in How to Apply and by responding to all requests for additional information.
• Not be in default on any educational loan or in repayment of any educational grant.
• For the grant programs, you must not have a previous Bachelor's Degree.
• Be making progress toward a certificate or degree program according to the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (see below for an exception). Verification may be required.

NEW!  A Massachusetts law on Tuition Equity passed in August 2023 and is effective beginning in 2023-2024.  If you are a Massachusetts resident who does not meet the citizenship criteria for federal financial aid, you may qualify for both in-state tuition rates and state financial aid grants and scholarships if you meet the criteria for "High School Completer" status.  To be considered, all three of the below are needed:

1. You must have attended a Massachusetts High School for at least 3 years AND have either:
   • graduated from high school in Massachusetts, or
   • received the equivalent of a high school diploma (for example, a GED or HiSet) in Massachusetts
2. You will need to be accepted to an eligible degree or certificate program AND submit a completed "Tuition Equity Eligibility Form and Affidavit for High School Completers" form to the Admissions Office.  If approved, this process will allow you to be charged the in-state tuition rate and allow you to apply for state financial aid funds. Please contact the QCC Admissions Office at 508-854-4262 or by email to admissions [at] qcc.mass.edu for help with this process. 
3. If you decide to apply for state financial aid grants and scholarships as a High School Completer, you will also need to submit the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA). Visit our How To Apply page for more information on this process.