Montserrat College of Art strives to help meet the financial needs of its students by extending both need-based and merit-based financial aid to all students who qualify. Nearly 80 percent of our students receive some form of financial assistance (grants, loans, and/or student employment). Sources include the federal government, state government, the college, and corporate and civic sponsors.

Most financial aid is awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need, defined as the difference between the cost of education and the expected family contribution. The cost of education includes tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board, personal expenses, and transportation for the nine-month academic year. The federal government's need analysis formula is used to determine a family's ability to contribute to college costs.

To Apply for Financial Aid

Our priority deadline for filing the FAFSA is March 1st. This means you and or your parents will need to collect all 2009 financial documents and complete your Federal Income Tax Returns in January or February. All questions on the FAFSA relate line by line to the Federal Tax Return.

Remember, the earlier you apply, the greater your chances of receiving assistance. If you cannot complete your tax returns early, complete the FAFSA using 2008 tax returns or use estimated tax figures. Late applications, those that apply after March 1st, will be reviewed pending the availability of funds. Award letters will be mailed beginning March 15th, 2010.

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1 for the following academic year. Montserrat's FAFSA code number is 013774. Applications filed by March 1 receive priority consideration.
   
2. Respond to requests from the government or the financial aid office for additional information.

finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml
(A free financial aid calculator)
Use this free financial aid calculator only as an estimate. The calculator does not take into account Montserrat College of Art's own aid, loans or grant awards. For more detailed information on your financial aid package at Montserrat, please contact our financial aid office at finaid@montserrat.edu or at 978-921-4242 X 1155.

This estimate is based on the official Federal Methodology income and asset protection tables designed for academic years from 1995-96 to the present.The need analysis formula used by this financial aid calculator is a slight simplification. It does not take into account differences in aid packaging philosophies.

Now is the time to begin to search for scholarships. Some helpful websites are:

fastweb.com

fastap.org

srnexpress.com

collegeboard.org

collegenet.com/mach25

scholarshipamerica.org