Admissions Merit Scholarships

Free Tuition Program for Fall 2025

UMass Dartmouth is proud to announce a transformative initiative, the UMass Dartmouth Deal, which will provide free tuition and mandatory fees to high-need, in-state undergraduate students. Read more to see if you qualify.

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is not required for merit-based awards but is encouraged for consideration of additional scholarships.

First-year students

Admissions Award

To be considered for this scholarship, students must:

be a first-year applicant
possess a minimum combined SAT Math & Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 1000 or ACT score of 20
have a minimum 2.7 grade point average (GPA)

The Admissions Award is granted for a total of four years (eight semesters) as long as the student maintains full-time status (12 day credits each semester), earns 24 day credits per academic year and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

If the student drops below full-time status (less than 12 day credits per semester), does not earn 24 day credits and/or falls below the required 3.0 GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.

Online & Continuing Education courses and charges are not covered by this program. The award may be decreased based on final institutional and direct charges or a change to a student’s cost of attendance (including but not limited to tuition, room, board, and /or any applicable fees) and will not be refunded.

Chancellor's Scholarship

To be considered for this scholarship, students must:

be a first-year applicant
possess a minimum combined SAT Math & Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 1200 or ACT score of 25
have a minimum 3.8 grade point average (GPA)

The Chancellor’s Scholarship is granted for a total of four years (eight semesters) as long as the student maintains

full-time status (12 day credits each semester), earns 24 day credits per academic year and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

If the student drops below full-time status (less than 12 day credits per semester), does not earn 24 day credits and/or falls below the required 3.0 GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.

Dean's Scholarship

To be considered for this scholarship, students must:

be a first-year applicant
possess a minimum combined SAT Math & Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 1100 or ACT score of 22
have a minimum 3.4 grade point average

The Dean’s Scholarship is granted for a total of four years (eight semesters) as long as the student maintains full-time status (12 day credits each semester), earns 24 day credits per academic year and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

If the student drops below full-time status (less than 12 day credits per semester), does not earn 24 day credits and/or falls below the required 3.0 GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.

Online & Continuing Education courses and charges are not covered by this program. The award may be decreased based on final institutional and direct charges or change to a student’s cost of attendance (including but not limited to tuition, room, board, and /or any applicable fees) and will not be refunded.

University Commonwealth Scholarship

To be considered for this scholarship, which covers undergraduate day tuition and fees, students must:

Be exceptionally well-qualified students who are residents of Massachusetts and who have shown outstanding academic achievement and potential. Recipients must have:
- A cumulative weighted grade point average of at least 3.75 after 7 semesters, or a ranking in the top 5 percent of their class
- A combined SAT I Math & Critical Reading score of at least 1400 (old SAT) or 1450 (new SAT) or ACT score of 32
- Demonstrated through participation in activities and programs a potential to make meaningful contributions to the university, their communities, and society

This scholarship pays for mandatory tuition and fees.

The University Commonwealth is valid for a total of four years (eight semesters) as long as the student maintains a 3.25 cumulative GPA and completes at least 30 day credits each academic year (15 day credits Fall and 15 day credits Spring semesters).

If the student completes fewer than 30 credits per academic year and/or falls below the required 3.25 cumulative GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.

Transfer students

Chancellor's Transfer Scholarship

To automatically be considered for this scholarship, students must:

have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher at the time of application

The scholarship is valid for a total of three years (six semesters) as long as student remains full time (12 day credits) each semester and maintains a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

If the student drops below full time (less than 12 day credits) per semester and/or falls below the required 3.0 GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.

Dean's Transfer Scholarship

To automatically be considered for this scholarship, students must:

have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher at the time of application

The scholarship is valid for a total of three years (six semesters) as long as student remains full time (12 day credits) each semester and maintains a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

If the student drops below full time (less than 12 day credits) per semester and/or falls below the required 3.0 GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Award

To automatically be considered for this scholarship, students must:

students must be an active member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and submit a copy of their Membership Certificate to the Admissions Office
have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher at the time of application

The scholarship is valid for a total of three years (six semesters) as long as student remains full time (12 day credits) each semester and maintains a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

If the student drops below full time (less than 12 day credits) per semester and/or falls below the required 3.0 GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.

UMass Community College Advantage Scholarship

The UMass Community College Advantage Scholarship (UCCAS) guarantees students in the top 10% of their community college graduating class admission to the University of Massachusetts and a minimum $2,500 per semester ($5,000 annually) for a total of at least $10,000 for the students’ final two years of college.

To be eligible, you must:

fall within the top 10% of your graduating class by the end of the fall semester prior to the fall semester you wish to enroll at the University of Massachusetts
complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or equivalent state financial aid application
be eligible for in-state tuition
have earned 45+ credits that are transferable to UMass
be on track to complete your associate degree prior to your entering semester
be a full-time matriculated student
enroll at the start of the academic year immediately following completion of your associate degree from a Massachusetts community college

Once you have received the notification of eligibility letter from your community college, you must complete the University of Massachusetts Community College Advantage Scholarship interest form.

The scholarship is valid for a total of two years (four semesters) as long as you remain full time (12 day credits) each semester and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. If you drop below full time (less than 12 day credits) per semester and/or fall below the required 3.0 GPA, the scholarship is permanently forfeited.