Due to the Commonwealth’s “High School Completers” Tuition Equity Law, undocumented students and certain non-FAFSA-eligible students can take advantage of not only in-state tuition prices at public Massachusetts colleges, but also additional need-based state aid to attend any public and some private Massachusetts colleges. To apply, students need to fill out the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA), a state-specific and state-designed form.
MASFA Basics
A new version of the MASFA will become available every fall for the following school year (around the same time as the FAFSA) and students will need to fill out the MASFA before every year that they plan to enroll in a degree-seeking program. The MA Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) is tasked with producing and processing the MASFA.
Before filling out the MASFA, it’s important for students to double-check their eligibility for federal aid, as students cannot fill out both the FAFSA and the MASFA. There are several “eligible non-citizen” statuses for federal aid. If you qualify for one of these federal aid “eligible non-citizen” statuses, you should fill out a FAFSA. But if you have confirmed you’re not eligible for federal aid, then you can fill out the MASFA. International students who are in the United States with a valid visa should not complete the MAFSA.
Getting Started with the MASFA
Students who believe they should complete the MASFA should click on the FAFSA/MASFA Eligibility Questionnaire on the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s website. Doing so will launch the correct application for the student (the MASFA or FAFSA). The MASFA is only available online via the OSFA website. Paper applications are not available and OSFA recommends that students complete the form on a computer or laptop. Completing the application on a mobile phone is NOT recommended.
When a student is ready, they will need to first create their account in the MassAid Portal for Students, which includes providing an email address (we recommend using a reliable personal email address) and setting up a username and password. It’s important that users enter their first and last name exactly as it appears on any official government-issued documents, such as your Social Security Card, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) Card, USCIS Employment Authorization, or Passport.
Students will need their username and password every time they log in to the MassAid Portal for Students. Once a student has created an account, the MASFA application will load, and the student can begin to complete the form. On the top right of the screen, there is an option to translate the form into Spanish.
Students should make sure they choose the correct school year’s MASFA application. Additionally, OSFA strongly urges students to read each question carefully before providing an answer, as answers to certain questions may qualify the student to skip other sections on the form, such as those focused on special circumstances and parent information.
Questions on the MASFA
Once a student begins a MASFA application, they can save their progress. Though we do recommend that students set aside at least 30 minutes to complete the form, as it is possible to complete the form in one sitting.
The form is laid out by the following sections in this order:
- Student Demographic Information
- School Selection
- Dependency Verification
- Student Tax Information
- Includes current student assets and income from two years prior
- Independent Student Information (for independent students only)
- Parent Tax Information (for dependent students only)
- Includes income information from two years prior, amount of child support received (if applicable), and current value of assets (such as investments, including the net worth of any owned business and real estate but NOT the home the family lives in)
- Student Certification/Signature
OSFA has created a comprehensive guide, 2026-2027 Application Guide and Frequently Asked Questions, that offers a step-by-step look at the form’s sections and questions. The guide includes screenshots to help walk students through each component of the form, in addition to some frequently asked questions. We suggest keeping this guide handy by saving or downloading the PDF file.
Signing and Submitting the MASFA
The current application does NOT require a parent/guardian to create an account, complete a portion of the application, or sign the application. This makes for a faster and smoother process for families. However, please note that the dependent students must provide their parent(s) information on their application.
What Happens Next?
Once students press submit, students will see a confirmation page, and they will also receive a confirmation email alerting them that their application was successfully completed. It’s important to take a moment to review the confirmation page, as it will include the student’s MASFA Student Aid Index (SAI). It’s a number in bold in the first paragraph of the confirmation page. Knowing this number can help the student and their family understand how much aid they might qualify for at the state level.
Students should feel empowered to keep checking their MassAid Portal for Students for updates and, as always, ask lots of questions if they don’t understand something they read in emails or on the MassAid Portal for Students.
Additional Resources
Students and families should not hesitate to seek help with the MASFA if needed. The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education has a page of FAQs that provides helpful information, especially regarding the intricacies of the “High School Completer Status” that is needed to qualify for state aid via the MASFA. In addition:
- For help with filling out the MASFA, reach out to the College Planning Team at MEFA via phone at (800) 449-MEFA (6332) or email at [email protected].
- For technical issues with the MASFA form or the MassAid Portal for Students, reach out to Stephannie Barboza at OSFA at [email protected].
- For specific questions about your Student Aid Index (SAI) number, your financial aid eligibility, or financial aid offers, reach out to college financial aid offices directly.
You’ve got this!
Sources:
Tuition Equity/ Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
OSFA 26-27 MASFA Application Guide and FAQ
