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Worcester State University has numerous financial aid programs available to assist students in meeting college costs. Funding for these programs comes from federal, state, institutional, and private sources. Types of programs include grants, scholarships, waivers, loans, and work- study. The Financial Aid Office provides an overview below. For more details, try visiting the Federal Student Aid website and the Office of Student Financial Assistance website.
Full and partial tuition waivers are awarded to students who demonstrate financial need and who are:
Waivers may not exceed a semester’s tuition charge and other waivers and/or tuition remissions for which a student is eligible will be deducted from the tuition charged before the need-based tuition waiver amount is determined.
The State Access Grant is awarded based on need and cannot exceed tuition and fees.
Worcester State students may be considered for tuition waivers based on the following designations with proper documentation by the student:
The Veterans Administration has approved Worcester State for the purpose of providing Veteran’s Educational Benefits to veterans pursuing undergraduate and graduate study.
Massachusetts veterans entitled to educational benefits must provide the Registrar’s Office with a copy of their Form DD-214. Upon receipt of this certificate and the veteran’s application, Worcester State will prepare a notice of enrollment and notify the Veteran’s Administration to determine eligibility for and initiate payments to the student. Contact the veteran’s representative at the Registrar’s Office at 508-929-8035 for more information.
Visit the Secretary of State’s website for details on eligibility.
Information on the GI Bill is available at the VA website.
Available for an active member of the Armed Forces including Army, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard stationed and residing in Massachusetts.
The Native American Tuition Waiver is available for Native American residents of Massachusetts who attend Worcester State. Contact the Massachusetts Commission of Indian Affairs for information and an application.
Available for individuals over the age of 60.
The Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) offers programs for Massachusetts residents. Most programs require completion of the FAFSA.
The Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program provides up to 50% of the recipient’s total annual budget for study at the college of the student’s choice. Twenty-five awards are made to high school sophomores and juniors who have a combination of high financial need, difficult personal circumstances, and promise for post-secondary work. Candidates are nominated by their high school or a community agency.
The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Program awards non-need-based, state-supported undergraduate tuition waivers to students who are awarded John and Abigail Adams Scholarship by the Department of Education. Potential recipients must send a copy of their Adams letter and complete the financial aid process.
The Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery is awarded to high school seniors as determined by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.
The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Waiver is for clients of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. Clients should contact their Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission counselor for further information.
The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Waiver is for clients of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. Clients should contact their Massachusetts Commission for the Blind counselor for more information.
The MassTransfer Tuition Waiver Program awards a tuition credit to students who are enrolled in a state college or university who has completed an associate degree at a public community college approved under the MassTransfer program. The credit is valid for the 2 years of a student’s enrollment immediately following their community college enrollment. Visit the MassTransfer page for more information.
The Department of Children and Families Adopted Child Tuition Waiver encompasses 100% of tuition for state-supported courses at all of the Massachusetts public institutions of higher education, excluding graduate courses. Contact the Department of Children and Families for a certification of eligibility and more information.
The Department of Children and Families Foster Child Tuition Waiver encompasses 100% of tuition for state-supported courses at all of the Massachusetts public institutions of higher education, excluding graduate course. Eligible students include all students in the custody of the Department of Children and Families placed in foster care with eligible Massachusetts’ residents through the Department of Children and Families. Students must be 24 years old or under. Contact the Department of Children and Families for a certification of eligibility and more information.
The Massachusetts National Guard Scholarship is available to members of the Massachusetts Army or Air National Guard Office Recruitment Program. It provides 100% tuition remission. Eligibility must be renewed after each 30 credits attempted. Contact the Massachusetts National Guard or the Worcester State Registrar’s Office for more information.
The State Employees’ Tuition Remission Benefit offers state employees and their dependents who elect to take courses at Worcester State to have some or all of their tuition waived. Documentation of eligibility should be submitted to the Worcester State Student Accounts Office by the student. Eligible individuals should contact the human resources office at their place of employment for further details.
The Army/Navy/Air Force ROTC Scholarship is designed to offer financial assistance to outstanding students in 4-year programs. Normally, the award is made prior to the student’s first year of college; however, a student may enter the program in their freshmen year. Recipients are required to serve on active duty in the branch of the service they have elected for a period of 4 years and then in the active reserve. Contact the ROTC Office at the College of the Holy Cross or Worcester Polytechnic Institute for more information.
When considering a loan, think carefully about these points:
Therefore, plan ahead for repayment and choose loan programs carefully.
The Federal Direct Loan Program is designed to help a student pay expenses at institutions of post-secondary education. A FAFSA is required to receive a Federal Direct Loan. All applicants must demonstrate financial need in order to qualify for a subsidized loan. A student with no need or partial need may be eligible for an unsubsidized loan. Unlike subsidized loans, unsubsidized loans accrue interest while in school. The Worcester State Financial Aid Office will inform you if your loan is subsidized and/or unsubsidized.
For information regarding cohort default rates for Worcester State University or any other college or university, please visit the Official Cohort Default Rate Search for Postsecondary School.
Specific information on repayment, deferment, cancellation, and default provisions for Direct Loan borrowers is available at the Federal Student Aid website.
The PLUS Loan enables parents of dependent undergraduates to borrow for their dependent’s education. A FAFSA is required to receive a PLUS Loan. Repayment of this loan begins within 60 days of the date that the loan is disbursed. However, parents can apply for a deferment through the federal government. The interest rate is variable, adjusted annually, not to exceed 9%. Parents sign a Master Promissory Note similar to the Direct Loan MPN, which is good for up to 10 years. Note: A separate MPN must be signed for each child for whom the parent borrows.
Parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance annually, less any financial aid awarded to the student. Parents can apply for PLUS loans and get specific information on repayment, deferment, cancellation and default provisions at the Federal Student Aid website.
Private education loans may be available to assist students who have received the maximum financial aid award(s) allowed through grants, work-study, and loans, but still have remaining Worcester State expenses.
The Department of Education has created the position of Student Loan Ombudsman to help students to resolve their federal student loan problems. Students should first attempt to resolve federal student loan problems through their lender, servicer, or the Worcester State Financial Aid Office.
Should all attempts to resolve problems through these channels fail, you can contact the Ombudsman at 877-557-2575 or the Federal Student Aid website. This applies to all loans with the exception of private and state loans.
To resolve problems regarding private and state loans, contact the Worcester State Financial Aid Office or the originator of the loan.
The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program is a need-based program that provides federally subsidized employment opportunities on campus for enrolled students. A student’s financial aid award letter indicates the FWS award and maximum earnings limit, typically $1,500, depending on availability of funds and individual need. Students are paid only for hours actually worked. The FWS wage rate is variable depending on placement.
The Worcester State Financial Aid Office will email instructions on how to complete the Federal Work-Study Employment process in the end of summer. This email will be sent to students’ Worcester State email address.
To complete the employment process a student must submit a:
Students who do not submit all paperwork to the office by the Friday before Columbus Day (for students who start school in the fall), or by the Friday before Presidents’ Day (for students who start school in the spring) forfeit their FWS award for the entire academic year.
After FWS placement, the FWS student employee and supervisor complete the student’s time sheet online, per the instructions provided to the student and supervisor. FWS earnings are not applied directly to the student’s tuition account without the student’s written consent. These wages are paid directly to the student via direct deposit.
Students are encouraged to participate in employment that complements and reinforces their educational goals. Full-time students may not work more than the number of hours indicated on their Employer Action Form and cannot work during scheduled class times.
Community service FWS positions are available. Contact the Financial Aid Office for information.
Students employed under the FWS program are not eligible for unemployment compensation benefits or worker’s compensation for on-the-job accidents. FWS earnings must be declared on federal and state income tax returns, if filed.
Some departments on campus—including Student Involvement and Leadership Development, Conference and Event Services, bookstore, Chartwells, and Residence Life and Housing—offer part-time jobs to students. Visit the Careers at Worcester State page for openings.
Off-campus job opportunities can be accesses via the LancerLink portal available through the Career Services Office website.
