Photo: Aldrich, Beatrice (uploader)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Hard work will literally pay off for Massachusetts community college graduates starting next year.
On Friday, the University of Massachusetts announced the Community College Advantage Scholarship (CCAS). The program will offer scholarships to students who finish in the top 10 percent of their graduating class at any of the state's 15 community colleges, the university said.
Eligible students will receive a minimum $5,000 per year above federal and private financial aid if they enroll at one of UMass' four campuses in Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, and Lowell.
UMass officials said the CCAS' goal is to provide equitable access to underrepresented groups of students in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to strike down race-based admissions earlier this year.
The program will also strengthen the state's talent pipeline, UMass said.
"We want to send a clear message that UMass welcomes highly talented community college graduates to continue their pursuit of a college degree on our nationally ranked Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth and Lowell campuses," UMass President Marty Meehan said. "We believe this initiative will lead to more community college graduates choosing to finish their four-year degree at UMass, which will accelerate their upward economic trajectory and strengthen the Commonwealth’s workforce."
The Community College Advantage Scholarship starts Fall 2024. To be eligible, students must:
- Complete their degree in the top 10 percent of their graduating class at their college. This will be calculated as of the end of the semester prior to the UMass financial aid priority deadline (Students applying for fall admission must have been in the top 10 percent of their class as of the end of the Fall 2023 semester).
- Complete the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or equivalent state financial aid application.
- Be eligible for in-state tuition.
- Have earned 45+ credits that are transferable to UMass.
- Be on track to complete their associate degree prior to the Fall 2024 semester.
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