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💰 Massachusetts College of Art and Design Merit Scholarships

Total Scholarships
15
Automatic
12
In-State Awards
$800-$10,000/yr
Out-of-State Awards
$800-$10,000/yr
Multi-Year Awards
$5,000 total
Typical Requirements for Automatic Merit
3.8 GPA / 1200 SAT

Massachusetts College of Art and Design awards merit scholarships automatically on GPA and test scores, with no separate application. Awards run $800-$10,000/yr for out-of-state students. Eligibility starts at 3.8 GPA / 1200 SAT. Against tuition of $29,030, students receiving the largest award pay about $19,030 a year before other aid.

What you'd actually pay at Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Tuition & fees
$29,030
Largest annual award
$10,000
=
Students receiving it pay about
$19,030/yr

Tuition and fees only — housing (about $19,412), books and travel are extra. Awards must still be won and may carry renewal conditions. Need-based aid is separate and may reduce this further.

Official Scholarship Information
View complete details on Massachusetts College of Art and Design's website
Visit School Website →

Automatic merit scholarships at Massachusetts College of Art and Design — no separate application

12 awards granted on your admission application, based on GPA and test scores.

Creamer Foundation Scholarship
Award
$900/yr in-state
$900/yr out-of-state
The Creamer Foundation Scholarships... This scholarship is awarded to an outstanding graduate student who demonstrates financial need and is seeking an MFA degree. The scholarship is approximately $900 per year for a student in the MFA program.
Eligibility: Awarded to an outstanding graduate student who demonstrates financial need and is seeking an MFA degree.
Source ↗
Dean’s Scholarship
MassArt Dean’s Scholarships are merit-based awards for accepted first-time first-year and transfer applicants from New England. These scholarships are renewable for up to four years.
Eligibility: MassArt Dean’s Scholarships are merit-based awards for accepted first-time first-year and transfer applicants from New England.
Source ↗
General institutional merit awards (various)
Award
$2,000-$10,000/yr in-state
$2,000-$10,000/yr out-of-state
All MassArt applicants are automatically considered for applicable merit scholarships. No additional application is required. Accepted applicants are reviewed beginning March 1, and recipients will be notified of their award by letter in the Admissions portal. You may receive your scholarship for up to eight terms unless you’re an Art Education major, in which case your scholarship may be applied to the required ninth term.
Eligibility: All MassArt applicants are automatically considered for applicable merit scholarships. No additional application is required.
Source ↗
MassArt Scholarship for Graduate Study in Photography
Award
$4,000-$9,000/yr in-state
$4,000-$9,000/yr out-of-state
Scholarships from this fund will provide support for 2-4 students enrolled in the MFA: Photography program. The amount varies between $4,000- $9,000 per year, and is renewable for full-time second year students.
Eligibility: Support for 2-4 students enrolled in the MFA: Photography program; renewable for full-time second year students.
Source ↗
Pace Scholarship
Award
$5,000/yr in-state
$5,000/yr out-of-state
The Pace Scholarship... is approximately $5,000 per year for a student in the MFA program.
Eligibility: Awarded to a student in the MFA program.
Source ↗
Patricia A. Doran Scholarship
Award
$1,000/yr in-state
$1,000/yr out-of-state
The Patricia A. Doran Scholarship... is approximately $1,000 per year for a student in the MFA program.
Eligibility: Established for a student in the MFA program.
Source ↗
President’s Scholarship
MassArt President’s Scholarships are for accepted Massachusetts first-year and transfer applicants. They are merit-based, and financial need is not a factor. These scholarships are renewable for up to four years.
Eligibility: MassArt President’s Scholarships are for accepted Massachusetts first-year and transfer applicants. They are merit-based, and financial need is not a factor.
Source ↗
Provost’s Scholarship
MassArt Provost’s Scholarships are merit-based awards for accepted first-time first-year and transfer applicants from outside of New England. These scholarships are renewable for up to four years.
Eligibility: MassArt Provost’s Scholarships are merit-based awards for accepted first-time first-year and transfer applicants from outside of New England.
Source ↗
Slosburg-Ackerman Scholarship
Award
$1,450/yr in-state
$1,450/yr out-of-state
The Slosburg-Ackerman Scholarship ... This award is given in alternating years to a member of the 3D graduate and 3D undergraduate programs, based on merit, financial need, and with a priority given to a member of an underrepresented group. The scholarship is approximately $1,450 per year for a student in the MFA program.
Eligibility: Given in alternating years to a member of the 3D graduate and 3D undergraduate programs, based on merit and financial need, with priority to an underrepresented group.
Source ↗
Trustees Scholarship (full tuition & fees)
The Trustees Scholarship is awarded to six recipients per year. It covers all tuition and fee charges and is renewable for up to four years.
Eligibility: Scholarships are awarded to students with high grades and outstanding portfolios who also have demonstrated financial need. The scholarship is available to US citizens and legal permanent residents.
Source ↗
Tsongas Scholarship (full tuition & fees)
Requirements
GPA 3.8+ • SAT 1200+
The Senator Paul E. Tsongas Scholarship is awarded annually to five new students from Massachusetts. It covers all tuition and fee charges for four years.
Eligibility: Recipients must place in the top ten percent of their class or hold a grade point average of 3.75. They must also have a combined SAT score of 1200 or higher or have earned at least two grades of at least 3.5 (B+) or better in advanced placement or honors courses.
Source ↗
Vision Scholarship
Award
$800/yr in-state
$800/yr out-of-state
Vision Scholarship will support students who are financially and academically deserving... The scholarship is approximately $800 per year for a student in a Master’s program.
Eligibility: Preference will be given to students from underrepresented groups.
Source ↗

Other scholarships at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (3)

These require a separate application, or the school does not publish their eligibility criteria.

Dondis A. Dondis Travel Fellowship / Morton Godine Fellowship
$5,000 one-time
Graduating juniors and seniors can apply for the Donis A. Dondis Travel Fellowship and the Morton Godine Fellowship — each a $5,000 award that supports travel for the purpose of completing a defined, merit-based artistic project.
Eligibility: Planning a travel-based art project? Graduating juniors and seniors can apply.
How to apply: ["application (department-specific)"]
Source ↗
George Nick Prize
The George Nick Prize ... the total prize amount (around $12,000) is split among selected winners.
Eligibility: All current students — undergraduates, graduate students, and PCE students — are eligible to apply for the George Nick Prize, a juried award that recognizes outstanding original work in drawing, painting, and printmaking.
How to apply: ["juried application/submission"]
Source ↗
Harris Barron Scholarship (SIM)
Apply for the Harris Barron Scholarship, a merit- and need-based award that supports your work from junior year through senior year.
Eligibility: Are you a SIM major with at least three semesters of SIM Major Studio completed?
How to apply: ["cover letter", "artist statement", "senior year plan", "portfolio", "department application by April 1"]
Source ↗

Deadlines that affect merit consideration at Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Early Action
12/01/2025
Regular Decision
03/01/2026

Common questions about Massachusetts College of Art and Design scholarships

How much merit aid does Massachusetts College of Art and Design give?

Published awards range $800-$10,000/yr. Massachusetts College of Art and Design lists 15 merit scholarships in total.

What GPA or test scores do you need for a scholarship at Massachusetts College of Art and Design?

The lowest published threshold across automatic awards is 3.8 GPA / 1200 SAT. Individual scholarships set their own cutoffs.

Does Massachusetts College of Art and Design give merit scholarships to out-of-state students?

Yes. Awards for out-of-state students run $800-$10,000/yr.

Is there a full-ride scholarship at Massachusetts College of Art and Design?

Not a full ride. The largest published award covers about 34% of tuition.

Do you have to apply separately for merit scholarships at Massachusetts College of Art and Design?

1 of the published awards are granted automatically on your admission application, with no separate scholarship application.

When is the scholarship deadline at Massachusetts College of Art and Design?

Merit consideration usually follows the admission deadline, which is 12/01/2025. Confirm scholarship-specific dates with the financial aid office.

💡 Tip: Award amounts and cutoffs change year to year. Confirm current figures with Massachusetts College of Art and Design's financial aid office before making decisions — or check their scholarship page.

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