MCLA Financial Aid Transforms Student Futures, Enables Debt-Free Education

April 16, 2026

For many students, the cost of college can feel like an insurmountable barrier. At Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, robust financial aid packages are changing that narrative, allowing students like Kristan Lewis ’26 and Eva Bassallo ’26 to pursue their educational dreams without the burden of overwhelming debt.

Lewis, a transfer student who came to MCLA to play basketball and study Business Administration with a concentration in Sports Management, credits financial aid with making his college choice possible. After earning his associate's degree at Jefferson Community College, he was recruited to continue his athletic career at MCLA. But it was the financial aid package that sealed the decision.

"When I compared financial packages, MCLA was significantly more affordable," Lewis said. "Seeing my financial aid offer helped relieve pressure for both me and my family and made it possible for me to attend without feeling overwhelmed by future financial stress."

Without that support, Lewis believes he would have stayed home as a commuter student. "That would have limited my ability to fully experience college life and take advantage of the opportunities available to me at MCLA," he explained.

For Eva Bassallo, a psychology major with a minor in Spanish who plays on the soccer team, financial aid has meant more than just covering tuition. It's opened doors to experiences she never imagined possible.

"Financial aid from MCLA has granted me the incredible opportunity to do something I'd never truly done before college—travel!" Bassallo said. She explored the American South and the history of the civil rights movement, and left the country for the first time to visit Cape Town, South Africa. "Both have been experiences I never would have gained without the financial support that MCLA donors provided."

Bassallo is looking forward to traveling to Brazil her senior year through school travel grants. Emergency grants also helped her manage vehicle issues as a commuter student. "Without those grants during those stressful times, I'm not sure if I would have been able to progress through my four years of school without going into vehicle debt," she noted.

The long-term impact is equally powerful. Lewis has been able to focus on leadership development and is working toward starting his own business. "Instead of only focusing on getting through each semester financially, I have been able to focus on skill development, networking, and preparing for life after graduation," he said.

Bassallo will leave MCLA completely debt-free with a concentrated bachelor's degree and a minor. "When I graduate and pursue my master's degree, I won't be starting that next academic journey already burdened by undergraduate loans," she said. "Thanks to MCLA's financial aid, I can focus on graduate school without the debt that many students carry forward."

Both students emphasize that financial aid at MCLA comes in various forms and encourage prospective students not to be discouraged by the process. As Lewis advises: "Complete FAFSA as early as possible and never hesitate to ask questions."