BOSTON?— Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration took a step forward in expanding access to higher education for all Massachusetts residents by launching the new Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA). 

The Department of Higher Education released the form on its website, which will allow currently enrolled undocumented college students in Massachusetts to apply for state need-based financial aid for the first time. Students can access the application at mass.edu/MASFA. 

The MASFA is an alternative form that provides students who cannot complete the Free Application for State Financial Aid (FAFSA) due to their immigration status a way to apply for state need-based financial aid. The application launch follows the August 2023 passage of Massachusetts' Tuition Equity Law, which allows students who have completed at least three years of high school in Massachusetts and received a high school diploma or its equivalent in the Commonwealth to access in-state tuition and be eligible for financial aid, regardless of immigration status.  

Eligible students began receiving the in-state tuition rate in Fall 2023. The MASFA released today is for additional need-based financial aid opportunities. It is based on the FAFSA for the 2023-2024 academic year and should be completed by students who are beginning college in Spring 2024 or were enrolled in the Fall 2023 semester and may qualify for financial aid. To receive financial aid for the 2023-2024 school year, students are encouraged to apply by May 1, and no later than June 30, 2024. 

Students who apply for need-based state financial aid under the new "High School Comleter" pathway created by the Tuition Equity Law must meet the existing eligibility criteria for each financial aid program for which they are seeking access.

"Quality higher education should be accessible to all Massachusetts high school graduates," said Healey. "Students who have long been part of our communities in Massachusetts should be eligible for the historic financial aid programs we have launched this year, and they should have every opportunity to grow their careers and be part of building our state's workforce. We're grateful for the Legislature for their partnership in passing this historic policy, and we're proud to be launching this application so that students can start accessing financial aid." 

• Was admitted to a public or private institution of higher education within the Massachusetts system of public higher education. 

• Have attended at least three academic years at a high school in Massachusetts. 

• Have graduated from high school in Massachusetts or have received the equivalent of a high school diploma (for example, a GED) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

• Have applied for military selective service, if eligible. 

• If the individual is not a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States, that person must provide a completed the DHE Affidavit stating that the individual will file an application to become a citizen or legal permanent resident within 120 days after the individual becomes eligible to do so.