UMASS BOSTON FINANCIAL AID PLEDGE*

FALL 2009

 

On February 27, 2009 the University of Massachusetts, Board of Trustees approved a $1500 increase in mandatory student fees for 2009-2010.  Along with this action was a vote to provide a significant increase in institutional grant assistance for families.  As a result of the increase, UMass Boston has added $3.1 million dollars in grant aid to the financial aid programs for a total of $8.1 million of UMass Boston funds available to students with demonstrated financial need for academic year 2009-2010.  This is in addition to an estimated $27 million of federal, state and other funds.

UMass Boston has developed the following guidelines for implementation of the “UMass Pledge”:

Students eligible for consideration for grant assistance:

 

• Undergraduate
• Massachusetts Residents
• FAFSA filed, Verification (if required), and all other required documents completed by June 1st
• Enrolled fall 2009
• Pursuing a first bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrated financial need as defined by federal regulations
• Meet federal eligibility criteria (refer to http://www.umb.edu/students/financial_aid/qualify.html)
• Federal total family income less than $78,501 (includes parent(s), student and spouse (if applicable) adjusted gross income and other untaxed income as defined by federal regulations)
• Late applicants may be considered for grant aid based on available funds

UMass Boston will also consider the following categories of students for grant assistance if they meet all of the above criteria:

 

• Out of State students (does not include international students)
• 2nd Degree students (does not include international students)
• Federal total family income between $78,501 and $100,000

Calculating grant aid assistance:

To assist families in understanding how Cost of Attendance (COA), Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and federal financial need, as well as UMass Boston’s equity packaging strategy is used in calculating eligibility for grant assistance a PDF document has been created for sample aid applicant financial aid awards here.

 

It is very important to file for financial aid by the established deadline (May 1) and to submit all requested verification documents in a timely manner (generally by June 1).  By filing for financial aid early you maximize the amount of financial aid available to you. 

 

* This information is valid as of date of publication and is subject to change