Massachusetts scholarships: What you need to know

The Massachusetts Broadcasters Association is committed to furthering the broadcast industry by helping Massachusetts' best and brightest students pursue a career in broadcasting. Our association is committed to encouraging students who are interested in the radio and/or television industry to further their education in the field. Students interested in a career in over-the-air broadcasting are encouraged to apply for a scholarship. Students who have declared a communications-related major, and are in the process of enrolling, or are currently enrolled, at an accredited institution of higher learning are encouraged to apply. The selection process for scholarships will take into account such factors as financial need, academic merit, community service, extra-curricular activities and work experience. Highest priority will be given to students with the most limited financial resources. Applications may be submitted through email or mail. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

Established by Rhode Island PBS in 2017, the Ocean State Media Scholarship offers awards to residents of the station's demographic market area who demonstrate promise of a successful career in the fields of journalism and/or media. Awards will be awarded annually and are renewable for an additional three years. Applicants may be a resident of Rhode Island or Bristol County, Massachusetts. They must be a graduating high school senior planning to attend an accredited 4-year post-secondary school, or a student currently enrolled in an accredited 4-year post-secondary institution. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and how this scholarship will make a meaningful difference in their educational plans, and must exhibit merit toward a successful career in journalism and/or media. Current employees of Ocean State Media, their children, and other immediate family members are not eligible to apply. Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or professional who can attest to the applicant's merit in pursuing a successful career in journalism and/or media, and a work sample, such as writing, video, audio, photography, or another creative example, and other supporting documents. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Rhode Island Foundation for more information.

The John Kimball, Jr. Memorial Trust Scholarship accepts applications from anyone interested in studying history who has a substantial connection with the Masconomet School District, Topsfield, Boxford or Middleton in Massachusetts. Anyone in the Masconomet community as well as Topsfield, Boxford, and Middleton residents in Massachusetts are eligible to apply. (Attendance or employment in the Masconomet School District in Massachusetts counts as residence.) The purpose of the Trust is to provide funding for books, tuition and other related educational and related expenses to graduate and undergraduate students, educators and others who have a passion for the study of history and related disciplines. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

Cathay Bank Foundation is committed to supporting youth residing in its business service territories to fulfill their dreams of obtaining a higher education. Applicants must be high school seniors who plan to attend a U.S.-accredited four-year college/university or community college as a first-year student in the Fall of 2026. If selected, they must provide a college acceptance letter for verification. Students must have a household income at or below the low-income level for the county of residence. If selected, they must provide 2024 or 2025 tax return for verification. The scholarship is open to all majors. Employees of Cathay Bank and their immediate family members are not eligible. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Asian Pacific Community Fund for more information.

The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund makes college more accessible by removing financial barriers. The scholarship will be awarded to permanent residents of New England states, with financial need, who display academic achievement, a commitment to serving others, a strong work ethic and leadership qualities. Applicants must be an entering or returning student at an accredited undergraduate institution in the United States and must be pursuing a bachelor's degree (BA, BS, BFA, BSN for example) for the first time. Students in one-year or two-year certificate or associate's degree programs do not qualify. Students in five-plus year programs ending in a master's degree or beyond may apply for the first four (undergraduate) years of their programs. Applicants should be enrolled in a demanding course of study and demonstrate skilled writing. High school applicants are welcome to apply using the Early Response deadline of April 3, 2025. Applicants must submit the contact information for at least one recommender. High school applicants must add a school counselor as their required recommender. They may add up to three other recommenders. Recommenders should not be relatives or personal friends. College applicants may add a college professor, high school teacher, or another community contact as their required recommender. They may add up to three other recommenders. Recommenders should not be relatives or personal friends. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Massachusetts Public Service Grant was established for students who have experienced the loss of a parent and/or spouse who is killed or missing in the line of public service duty in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Public Service Grant Program is the only scholarship program not based on demonstrated financial need, but rather entitlement. Applicants must be enrolled in a certificate, associate's or bachelor's degree program at an eligible institution. An eligible institution is defined as a public or independent college or university in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts which is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is authorized by the Commonwealth to offer undergraduate degree programs. Applicants must be maintaining satisfactory academic progress in accordance with institutional and federal standards Applicants must be able to provide the necessary documentation to evidence one of the following conditions: (1) Child or widowed spouse of a Massachusetts Police Officer, Firefighter or Corrections Officer who was killed or died from injuries received while performing his or her duties. This shall also include authorized training duty. (2) Child of a Prisoner of War Military Service Person Missing in Action in Southeast Asia whose war time service was credited to the Commonwealth and whose service was between February 1, 1955 and the termination of the Vietnam campaign. (3) Child of a Veteran whose service was credited to the Commonwealth and who was killed in action or died as a result of such service. Applications may be submitted through mail or email. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance for more information.

The Edwards Scholarship Fund was established in 1939 by Grace M. Edwards, a lifelong resident of Boston, to further the development of good citizenship through education by offering college scholarships to men and women of good character and ability who are in need of financial assistance. Applicants must reside in the City of Boston from at least the start of their junior year in high school. The city includes many neighborhoods such as: Allston, Back Bay, Bay Village/South Cove, Beacon Hill, Brighton, Charlestown, Chinatown/Leather District, Dorchester, Downtown/Financial District, East Boston, Fenway/Kenmore, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mission Hill, North End, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, South End, West End, and West Roxbury. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED prior to the start of their first semester in college. Students can apply to be first-time recipients while they are in high school or college. High school applicants receive priority. Colleges and universities attended must be regionally accredited and offer recognized degrees. Students can receive the Edwards Scholarship for four years of undergraduate education. First-time high school applicants must submit an essay; transcript; recommendation from their Guidance Counselor; copy of their processed FAFSA Submission Summary for the upcoming academic year, all pages; and the copy of the financial aid package (CFA) offered by the college that they will attend in the fall. First-time college applicants must submit an essay; copy of their processed FAFSA Submission Summary for the upcoming academic year, all pages; copy of the financial aid package (CFA) offered by the college that they will attend in the fall; and their transcript through the first semester of this academic year. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Timothy S. and Palmer W. Bigelow, Jr. Scholarship was created in 1988 by the Bigelow family to aid students from New England who are seeking a career in horticulture. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited landscape or horticulture program or related discipline. They must be enrolled in good standing. Applicants must have senior standing in a two-year curriculum (having completed the first year), junior standing in a four-year curriculum (having completed the first two years), or a graduate student standing. Undergraduate students must have a minimum GPA of 2.25, and graduate students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Preference will be given to an applicant who plans to work in any aspect of the nursery industry following graduation, including the desire to own one's own business. Preference will also be given to an applicant in financial need. Previous Timothy Bigelow Scholarship award winners are not eligible for additional funding. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation. Recommendations may come from a student advisor, instructor, employer, or business associate and must be submitted directly from the recommender to HRI. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Horticultural Research Institute for more information.

The Rick Pitino Presidential Medal Scholarship is open to students who are Massachusetts residents and enrolled in the Commonwealth Honors College. Please note that applications and letters of recommendation submitted after October 1 will not be considered. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.