To Apply for Financial Aid

Merit Scholarships

Presidential Scholarships
All applicants who complete the requirements for admission by the preferred deadlines are eligible to be considered for a Presidential Scholarship, one of Montserrat’s merit-based scholarships. These scholarships are based on the applicant’s portfolio and academic achievement. Students are notified of their Presidential Scholarship in their letter of acceptance.

Full Tuition Scholarships
Montserrat College of Art offers a limited number of full-tuition scholarships to students who demonstrate significant academic achievement and strong artistic talent, and who show the qualities that make them an ideal match for Montserrat, both in and outside the classroom. Students are automatically considered for a Full Tuition Scholarship when they apply for admission to the College and are notified of the award in their letter of acceptance.

Beverly Scholarship
Montserrat College of Art offers a scholarship to all Beverly residents who meet the admission requirements and enroll as full-time students. The scholarship is awarded each year for up to four years of full-time enrollment. To qualify, students must be permanent residents of Beverly who have lived in the city for at least two years before attending Montserrat. This special scholarship reflects the College’s commitment to giving back to our community and educating its artists. Please note that the amount of the Beverly Scholarship is deducted from any merit-based award.

Institutional Grants

In addition to merit-based scholarships, Montserrat College of Art offers a limited number of need-based institutional grants to help make a Montserrat education affordable. Students are considered for these grants when they complete the FAFSA and are notified of any award in their financial aid offer. Because these grants are need-based, students must complete the FAFSA each year to be considered.

Montserrat Grant
The Montserrat Grant is awarded to students with demonstrated financial need, as determined by the FAFSA. The Montserrat Grant is awarded in addition to, and does not reduce, any merit-based scholarship a student receives.

Housing Grant
The Housing Grant helps reduce the cost of living on campus for students with demonstrated financial need, as determined by the FAFSA. Students must live in College housing to receive the Housing Grant. Students who no longer live on campus are no longer eligible for the grant.

NOTE REGARDING INSTITUTIONAL AID: To receive the full amount of a merit-based scholarship or institutional grant, students must be enrolled full-time, carrying at least 12 credits. Students who carry fewer than 12 credits will have their award prorated based on the number of credits they carry. Students must carry at least 6 credits to qualify for any institutional financial aid.

Federal Student Loans

When you complete the FAFSA, you apply not only for need-based grants and scholarships but also for federal student loans. Please read the details of each loan option carefully. We recommend that you review and compare all of your financing resources to make sure you choose the best option for your needs.

Montserrat College of Art recommends that students and parents consider all federal loan options before considering an alternative (private) loan. The U.S. Department of Education explains the differences between federal and private loan programs on its website: Federal Student Aid.

Direct Subsidized Loans (for students) are need-based. The federal government pays the interest while you are in school and during authorized deferment periods.

Direct Unsubsidized Loans (for students) are not need-based. Interest is charged on each portion of the loan from the date it is disbursed to Montserrat College of Art (generally half in the fall and half in the spring).

First-time borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Loan Entrance Counseling before a loan can be disbursed.

Federal and State Grants

Federal Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need, as determined by the FAFSA, and who have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree. (In some cases, a student enrolled in a postbaccalaureate teacher certification program may also receive a Federal Pell Grant.)

You may also be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant if you are confined or incarcerated and enrolled in an approved Prison Education Program, or if you are subject to an involuntary civil commitment after completing a period of incarceration for a forcible or nonforcible sexual offense. For more information, please visit studentaid.gov.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. The SFS office administers the FSEOG program directly. For more information, please visit studentaid.gov.

MASSGrants are funded by the Massachusetts Legislature and provide need-based financial assistance to undergraduate students who live in Massachusetts. To qualify, students must be enrolled full-time and in good academic standing. For more information, please visit the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Massachusetts Gilbert Grants are awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need who live in Massachusetts. The SFS office administers the Gilbert Grant directly. To qualify, students must be enrolled full-time and in good academic standing. For more information, please visit the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Private Scholarships

At Montserrat College of Art, we are proud that our students reach out to their communities, local organizations, and charities to apply for and receive additional scholarships. Private scholarships vary, but organizations typically either pay the funds directly to the student or send them to the SFS office.

For more information, please visit our Outside Scholarships page.

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