The Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance requires students to file a FAFSA for Merit-Based Tuition Credits.
Merit-based tuition credits are for Massachusetts residents, and usually cover part of the tuition charge ($1,454 for 2016-2017). Tuition credits only cover day school tuition, DOCE courses are not covered. Freshman students may be eligible for the Valedictorian Tuition Credit, the John and Abigail Adams, or the Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery.
Transfer students may also be eligible for the John and Abigail Adams or the Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Tuition Credit if they have attended a Massachusetts public institution prior to enrollment at UMass Lowell, and are transferring the credit without a break in college attendance.
Massachusetts community college students may also be eligible for the Mass Advantage Plus Program (MAPP), which includes a credit towards in-state tuition. FAFSA is not required for the MAPP.