Financial Aid - Need Based Aid

Nichols Funds

Nichols College offers need-based grants to assist in meeting some of a student's unmet financial need. These grants are not based on academic achievement. A FAFSA must be filed for consideration.

Nichols Opportunity Grant
The Nichols Opportunity Grant is awarded to full-time day students who demonstrate significant financial need. The student must file a FAFSA for consideration. Late applicants may receive fewer funds.

Nichols Access Grant
The Nichols Access Grant is awarded to exceptionally needy full-time day division students who are not legal residents of Massachusetts. This grant helps to supplement the limited out of state scholarship dollars needy students receive. The student must file a FAFSA for consideration. Since funds are limited, the Access Grant is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.


Federal Funds

Students must complete the FAFSA form in order to qualify for any federal aid. Funding may be limited for certain federal programs, such as Federal SEOG and Federal Work-study. Early application is advised. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA by March 1st each year to ensure maximum eligibility.

Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant program is available to very needy students. The amount of the grant varies from year to year. For the 2008-2009 year, the grant amount ranged from $890 to $4,731. Application to the Pell Grant Program is made by completing the FAFSA form.

Federal SEOG Grant
The Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is a federal grant program available to very needy students who are enrolled at least half-time. The average SEOG grant is $500 per year. Priority consideration is given to Pell Grant recipients. Application to the Federal SEOG program is made by completing the FAFSA.


State Grant Programs

Many states provide scholarships to eligible residents and some states provide scholarships to students attending out-of-state schools. Application to state scholarship program is made by completing the FAFSA by the state established deadline. Requests for specific information should be directed to the state scholarship organization in the student's home state.

MassGrant
The MassGrant is the Massachusetts State Scholarship provided to eligible Massachusetts state residents. Application to the MassGrant program is made by filing a FAFSA prior to the state deadline of May 1st.