The Massachusetts Public Service Grant Program was established in recognition of the hardship that a family experiences upon 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. This grant program was established to provide educational opportunity to the remaining family members. The Public Service Grant Program is the only scholarship program not based on demonstrated financial need, but rather entitlement.

To be eligible for a Massachusetts Public Service Grant, at student must:

• Be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts for one year prior to the start of the academic year for which the scholarship is granted.
• Be a United States citizen or eligible non citizen.
• Be enrolled full time (at least 12 credits or its equivalent) in an eligible institution.
• Not have received a prior bachelors degree or its equivalent.
• Be in compliance with Selective Service Registration Requirements.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with institutional and Federal standards.
• Be able to provide the necessary documentation to evidence one of the following conditions:
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

For a student attending a Massachusetts public college or university, the award shall be equal to the cost of the institution's full time annual tuition charges.

For a student attending a Massachusetts Independent College or University, the award shall be equal to the full time annual tuition charge at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst not to exceed $2,500 per academic year.

All students applying for consideration for a Public Service Grant must complete the following:

• Public Service Grant Application from the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA).
• First Time Applicant Public Service Grant Application (PDF: 99K)
• First Time Applicant Public Service Grant Application (DOC: 42K)
• Provide the necessary documentation as stated on the application.
• Return the application and documentation to OSFA by the deadline.

Renewal Applications:

To renew your grant each year, contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for a renewal application for the Public Service Program, or download the current Massachusetts Public Service Grant Program Renewal Application renewal application.

• Public Service Grant Program Renewal Application (PDF: 90K)
• Public Service Grant Program Renewal Application (DOC: 39K)

Be advised that the Massachusetts Public Service Grant is not automatically renewable. You must reapply each year to receive consideration for the Public Service Grant.

May 1st deadline applies to new applicants only.