FINANCIAL AID:
Regardless of whether you transfer to a public or private four-year institution, your cost of attendance is very likely to be higher than at QCC. That’s not necessarily cause for worry. The good news is that your financial aid eligibility also increase's at the next institution.
(1.) FAFSA:
Applying for financial aid is important throughout the transfer application process. Institutions recognize and require FAFSA to determine eligibility for scholarship opportunities. Our office encourages students to apply for FAFSA even if you have not received a decision. The receiving institution will file your information until you have applied and then they can create an award letter.
(2.) CSS Profile/Other Financial Aid Applications:
Some colleges/universities also require a second financial aid application called the CSS Profile. This secondary application is goes further in-depth into your and your family's financial situation which will determine your aid amount. There is a cost associated with the CSS Profile application. Other colleges/universities could potentially require their own supplementary financial aid application instead of the CSS Profile for the same purposes.
(3.) Net Price Calculator (NPC):
You may be able to estimate your financial aid eligibility at a four-year institution before you even apply. The Federal Government requires all colleges and universities to provide the NPC to help students estimate aid eligibility. The NPC is usually found under the “Financial Aid” or “Tuition” webpage on an institutions website. You fill out an online form to answer a series of questions and then receive an estimate of financial aid eligibility.
PLEASE NOTE: This is not an official financial aid award. It is an estimate of your eligibility/award. You must still file a FAFSA application to have financial aid letter formally determined.
TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIPS:
Unlike the FAFSA application process, transfer scholarships are not tied to a single questionnaire. You can find opportunities in many locations. Scholarships can vary from school to school and by various criteria, so check with each college you are interested in. Merit-based scholarships can also be awarded at institutions. Those are determined by various criteria, but focus on high academic performance, not financial need. Do not be afraid to contact an admissions representative to speak about what opportunities you could qualify for.
PLEASE NOTE: Scholarship deadlines are typically different from transfer application deadlines, sometimes months earlier. It’s important to start looking for scholarships early.
(1.) LOCAL AND REGIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS:
(Scholarships vary from year to year. Check directly with schools of interest to confirm scholarship availability)
- Anna Maria College: Community College Graduates
- Assumption College: Desautels Scholars, Pesse Scholars Merit Scholarships
- Boston University: PTK Scholarships
- Clark University: PTK Scholarships, QCC Graduate Scholarships
- Go Local Worcester
- Greater Worcester Community Foundation
- Cynthia and Harrison Taylor Scholarship: For hard-working students who need financial assistance to pay for college, with preference to adult students (pursuing their first bachelor's degree) and to transfer students who have completed an Associate's degree and are continuing their education at a four-year institution.
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Transfer Award and Scholarship Program: This program awards scholarships to students who are interested in attending RPI. Only one student per award can be nominated. Each scholarship has it's own criteria. Please reach out to the Transfer Services to request additional information. The three scholarships awarded are:
- Joseph H. Smith Medal Award and Scholarship
- The Garnet D. Baltimore Award and Scholarship for Minority Students
- The Award for Excellence
- Sherwin Scholarship: This scholarship will be awarded to students who have completed two years at a community college and are transferring to a 4-year program at a Massachusetts public school. This scholarship will fund the full amount of unmet financial need for the recipient.
- Worcester Latino Coalition Scholarship: For graduating high school seniors and adult students from Worcester County who are of Latino/Hispanic descent, with preference to students working in, or pursuing a career in, a health care field.
- Jack Kent Cooke Foundation-Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
- Massachusetts Society of CPAs: Scholarships
- New England Transfer Association Annual Scholarships
- Point Foundation: The National LGBTQ Scholarship Fund
- Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
- UMass-Boston: Foster Furcolo Scholarship
- UMass-Dartmouth: Chancellor's Transfer Scholarship
- UMass-Lowell: Scholarship Page
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute: PTK Scholarships
(3.) SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHES:
(4.) FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:
(5.) OTHER RESOURCES:
- QCC Financial Aid Office, Room 165A
- Chamber of Commerce: Ask about scholarships sponsored by business organizations, companies, or non-profit groups.
- Library: The reference librarian at your local library can direct you to scholarship directories.
- Employer: Ask about "education benefits" available at the human resources/personnel office at your/your parents' employer. Some companies offer scholarships or tuition assistance for employees and/or their children.
- Massachusetts Educational Finance Authority can be a good resource for students.
(6.) WORDS OF WARNING:
- Many organizations offer scholarships, and individuals provide professional assistance in finding them. Most groups are legitimate, but others are not.
- Be suspicious of organizations or individuals that charge application fees for their scholarships. If their goal is to give away money, they should not be asking you for money.
- Beware of individuals who claim there are vast amounts of unclaimed scholarship money and they can guarantee you will get some. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is not true.