Financial Aid at MCLA

Over 85% of students receive financial aid, mostly as a combination of grants, loans, and part-time employment. When you complete two applications, FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the MCLA financial aid application, you automatically apply for a wide range of state, federal, and MCLA assistance, such as Pell Grants, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants, MASS Grants, the College Work-Study Program, Perkins Loans, and Federal Direct Student Loans.

If you haven't already, review the estimated costs to attend MCLA. Especially given the opportunities a quality MCLA education provides, it's surprisingly affordable.

Financial Aid Overview

Regardless of whether you're an undergraduate, graduate, FAST-TRACK, or certificate program student, follow these basic steps each academic year. You must be formally accepted into your program of study and be enrolled at least half time to be eligible, and you must also maintain satisfactory academic progress to keep your aid.

1. Complete the FAFSA form.
2. Complete MCLA's financial aid application.
3. If requested, complete verification documents.
4. Review your award letter.
   
5. If needed, apply for a Federal Direct Parent Plus Loan or a credit-based alternative student loan.
   

Important info for Professional MBA students

Important info for Masters of Education/Certificate of Advanced Studies students

1. Complete the FAFSA Form

School Code: 002187    MCLA CEEB #: 3521

Priority application date: March 1 for the academic year, December 1 for spring acceptance; you can complete and return starting January 1 of the award year 

Tips: Complete all sections accurately. To electronically sign before submitting, you and at least one parent (if you are dependent) must have a PIN number. You may want to search online for video tutorials that show how to complete the form.

Changes: Beginning with the Fall 2012/Spring 2013 academic year, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. If that's not possible, request a tax return transcript for you and your parents.

Complete FAFSA online

2. Complete MCLA's Financial Aid Application

Complete one of these forms, depending on when you're attending.

Fall 2013, Spring/Summer 2014 - ACY 13-14   Fall 2012, Spring/Summer 2013 - ACY 12-13

Priority application date: March 1 for the academic year, December 1 for spring acceptance

You may want to also explore these additional resources, as well as other scholarships.

Once you're an MCLA student, you can defray costs by applying for scholarships specific to your level or course of study. 

Our Scholarship Brochure for the 2013-2014 academic year is now available! Please see the instructions below.

You may open the brochure by clicking on the words 'Scholarship Brochure' above. Please make sure that you open it in Adobe Reader. Once you review the scholarships available, download and save the application page (located on the last page of the brochure) to your computer.  A separate application needs to be completed for each scholarship you wish to apply. Once you have completed your applications, attach your applications and any required essays to an email directed to finaid@mcla.edu.

 

3. Complete Verification Documents

You may be asked to verify the accuracy of your information by providing documents such as an IRS Tax Return Summary. Print, complete, and mail or fax (413.662.5105) requested forms to the Financial Aid office.

Priority application date: March 1 for the academic year, December 1 for spring acceptance.  The following forms are for 2013-2014 academic year.

 

                            Fall 2013 - Spring 2014 Forms 

Dependent Student Verification Form   Independent Student Verification Form

Financial Aid Release Form

Special Circumstance Form

Child Support Paid Verification Form   Family Size Verification Form   High School Completion & Identity Verification Form   Asset Verification Form   Sibling/Parent/Spouse Enrollment Verification Form

 

                         Fall 2012 - Spring 2013 Forms 

Dependent Student Verification Form

Independent Student Verification Form

Family Size Verification Form

Asset Verification Form

Sibling/Parent/Spouse Enrollment Verification Form

 Special Circumstance requests are not reviewed until late July, to enable MCLA to base its decision on at least 6 months of actual earnings. Other requests are considered as they are received.

4. Review Your Award Letter

This letter describes the grant aid and loans you'll receive from federal and state governments, and MCLA needs-based resources. It also lists work study opportunities available to you.

Letter receipt: Expect to see this letter after March 1 for the fall and spring academic year, after December 1 for spring acceptance, or April for summer.

Direct Student Loans: You need to complete Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note.

5. Apply for Other Loans 

If you need additional financing to cover costs, you may want to apply for a MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) parent or student loan, which is a fixed-rate loan available to students attending a Massachusetts school, or a federal Direct PLUS Loan for Parents.

You may also want to consider an alternative student loan. Many of these educational loans have variable interest rates and are credit based. Their terms are often not as favorable as government-sponsored loans.

STEM Field Majors

If you're majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM), see how the Commonwealth Covenant Fund can cover some of your loans after graduation, if you work or teach in a STEM field in Massachusetts.  

Questions? Contact Us!