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College is more affordable than you think. Here's how to pay for it.
College is more affordable than you think. Here's how to pay for it.
The sticker price of college is NOT what most students pay. Financial aid — grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans — can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket cost. The key is knowing what's available, applying early, and asking the right questions.
This page breaks down everything you need to know about paying for college, from filing your FAFSA to finding Boston-specific scholarships that most students don't know exist.
Quick Links
Quick Links
Free & Affordable college access. Click above to complete your Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA)
Know what's out there before you apply.
Know what's out there before you apply.
The FAFSA. File it. File it early. File it every year.
The FAFSA. File it. File it early. File it every year.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid — the FAFSA — is the single most important financial aid document you will complete. It determines your eligibility for federal grants, work-study, loans, Massachusetts state aid, and financial aid from most colleges. It is free to file. There is no reason not to.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid — the FAFSA — is the single most important financial aid document you will complete. It determines your eligibility for federal grants, work-study, loans, Massachusetts state aid, and financial aid from most colleges. It is free to file. There is no reason not to.
When does it open?
When does it open?
The FAFSA opens every year on October 1. File as early as possible — some aid is first-come, first-served. The Massachusetts state priority deadline is typically May 1, but filing in October gives you the best chance at the most aid.
What do you need to file?
What do you need to file?
Your Social Security Number (or Alien Registration Number if applicable)
Your parents' or guardians' tax information (prior year — taxes from two years ago)
Your own tax information if you worked
Your FSA ID — create one at studentaid.gov before you start
FAFSA Step-By-Step
FAFSA Step-By-Step
Step 1 — Create your FSA ID
Step 1 — Create your FSA ID
Go to https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch and create your FSA ID. This is your username and password for all federal student aid. Your parent or guardian also needs their own FSA ID. Do this before October 1 so you're ready to file the moment the FAFSA opens.
FY27-FAFSA-Checklist.pdfStep 2 — Gather your documents
Step 2 — Gather your documents
You'll need Social Security numbers for yourself and your parents, prior-year tax returns, W-2s, and records of any untaxed income. The IRS Data Retrieval Tool inside the FAFSA automatically pulls in tax data, which makes this faster.
Step 3 — Complete and submit
Step 3 — Complete and submit
Go to studentaid.gov and fill out the form. List every college you're applying to — they will all receive your information. You are not committing to any school by listing it.
Step 4 — Review your FAFSA Submission Summary
Step 4 — Review your FAFSA Submission Summary
After submitting, you'll receive a Submission Summary confirming your information. Review it carefully for errors and correct anything that's wrong. Learn About the FAFSA Submission Summary. studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/review-and-correct/fafsa-submission-summary#next-stepsLog In to your account at studentaid.gov to review.
Aid_Offer_Comparison_Worksheet.pdfStep 5 — Compare your aid offers
Step 5 — Compare your aid offers
Once colleges receive your FAFSA, they send financial aid award letters. Compare them carefully — don't just look at the total aid package, look at how much of it is grants versus loans. Use the worksheet above to compare your offers.
Need help?
Need help?
uAspire provides free FAFSA support for BPS students and families year-round. They can walk you through every step in person or virtually.
Undocumented students:
Undocumented students:
If you are undocumented, you may not be eligible for federal financial aid through the FAFSA, but you may qualify for Massachusetts state aid through the Massachusetts Financial Aid Application (MASFA) — see below. Talk to your school counselor confidentially about your options.
FAFSA Step 1: Create Your FSA ID
FAFSA Step 1: Create Your FSA ID
FAFSA Step 2: Gather Your Documents
FAFSA Step 2: Gather Your Documents
FAFSA Checklist
FAFSA Checklist
uAspire provides students and families with the FAFSA checklists. Click below to access the checklist to prepare to file your FAFSA.
Massachusetts Financial Aid Application (MASFA)
Massachusetts Financial Aid Application (MASFA)
If you are not eligible to complete the FAFSA due to immigration status, the MASFA is Massachusetts's alternative financial aid application. It opens access to state-funded financial aid for eligible students who have attended a Massachusetts high school for at least three years and received a high school diploma or equivalent in Massachusetts.
If you are not eligible to complete the FAFSA due to immigration status, the MASFA is Massachusetts's alternative financial aid application. It opens access to state-funded financial aid for eligible students who have attended a Massachusetts high school for at least three years and received a high school diploma or equivalent in Massachusetts.
What aid can MASFA unlock?
What aid can MASFA unlock?
MASSGrant
Massachusetts Gilbert Grant
Massachusetts Part-Time Grant
Other state-funded aid programs at participating Massachusetts institutions
Who is eligible?
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible for MASFA if you:
Are not eligible to file the FAFSA due to immigration status
Attended a Massachusetts high school for at least three years
Graduated from a Massachusetts high school or received a Massachusetts GED
Plan to attend an eligible Massachusetts college or university
2026-MA-Immigrant-Undocumented-Student-Handout-English.pdf2026-MA-Immigrant-Undocumented-Student-Handout-Spanish.pdfFY27-FAFSA-MASFA-Checklist.pdfCSS Profile Checklist
CSS Profile Checklist
The CSS Profile is a financial aid application created by The College Board and used by over 400 colleges and scholarship programs to determine financial aid eligibility and award institutional aid (ex: merit scholarships or college-specific grants). The majority of colleges that require the CSS Profile are private institutions. Not every college requires the CSS Profile, so it is important to first confirm if a school on your college list will need this application. Check with the financial aid website of the schools you're applying to and confirm whether or not you need to complete the CSS Profile. You can also double-check which schools require it here.
The CSS Profile is free to domestic undergraduate students whose family income is up to $100,000. More info about Fee Waivers. If you do not receive a Fee Waiver, the fee for the initial application is $25, and additional college recipients added are $16 per school.
PLEASE NOTE: the CSS Profile does not replace filling out the FAFSA! Colleges that require the CSS Profile might also require you to fill out the FAFSA. Remember, the FAFSA is the government's application that determines your eligibility for FEDERAL & STATE financial aid. For certain colleges, your financial aid application may be considered incomplete and if you do not complete both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile by the college's deadlines.
Scholarships: apply for everything you qualify for.
Scholarships: apply for everything you qualify for.
Where to start
Where to start
Do not wait until senior year to search for scholarships. Junior year is the right time to build your list and start tracking deadlines. The best free tools for Massachusetts students:
Xello Scholarship Profile — Xello has a scholarship list that includes local, state, and national scholarships. Login to Xello and "Create A Scholarship Profile" to see scholarships that directly match with your interests and goals.
uAspire Scholarship Spreadsheet — A regularly updated, Boston-specific list of scholarships available to BPS students. Free to access.
Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship application is open. Deadline: 11/11/2026. Apply online in the Common App.
Appily: Scholarship search site
Fastweb Scholarship search site for college and trade school
Hispanic/Latinx Scholarships
Hispanic Scholarship Fund Opens in January
Black/African American Scholarships
Asian American/Pacific Islander Scholarships
Native American/American Indian Scholarships
Arab American/Middle Eastern Scholarships
Students experiencing homelessness
The Horatio Alger Association, in partnership with the Give Us Your Poor organization, offers college scholarships to homeless and at-risk students. The Horatio Alger Association provides approximately 1,000 scholarships each year to eligible students who have overcome adversity in their lives. Visit the Horatio Alger Association National and State Scholarship webpage.
Undocumented Student Scholarships & Support
TheDream.US Opens Nov. 1, 2026
Resources
Resources
financially-safer-colleges-hsi (2).pdfColleges-Universities-that-Meet-Full-Need.pdffinancially-safer-colleges-hbcu (3).pdffinancially-safer-colleges-ma (2).pdffinancially-safer-colleges-new-england (1).pdfFAFSA-FinAid-Guide-Class-2027-Eng.pdfBlog post: Making a College List? Use These Tools To Factor in Affordability
https://finaid.org/ - FinAid is a student guide to financial aid for students, parents, financial aid professionals, and school counselors.
https://www.edvisors.com/ - Factual website about all things related to financial aid.
Boston Saves
Boston Saves
Boston Saves is a children’s savings account program. It helps families save and plan for their child's future college or career by giving each Boston Public Schools (BPS) K2 kindergartner an account with $50. Families can get even more money for their child, called Boston Saves Dollars, and track those savings in the Boston Saves Savings Center.
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