Most public universities have an in-state price and an out-of-state price. UMass Dartmouth has a third one in the middle. Here’s what tuition and fees look like for 2026-27:
Massachusetts residents: $16,773
Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont: $22,711 (the New England Regional Rate)
Everyone else: $34,936
Living on campus adds $19,700 for housing and food, no matter where you’re from. And Massachusetts families earning $75,000 or less should look hard at the UMass Dartmouth Deal, which covers tuition and mandatory fees.
University Commonwealth (automatic, MA) and Founders' (full ride, MA)
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Residency & Waivers
NEBHE
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at UMass Dartmouth (Read This First)
Test-optional for admission is not test-optional for the top award. The University Commonwealth Scholarship (full tuition and fees for Massachusetts residents) requires a 1450 SAT or 32 ACT on top of the GPA bar. No score, no Commonwealth.
Below that, one strong number is enough. Chancellor’s, Dean’s and the Admissions Award ask for a GPA or a test score, not both. A great transcript can carry a student who never sends scores.
April 1 is the real money date. That’s UMassD’s FAFSA priority date for merit and need-based consideration and for donor scholarships. The Deal needs the FAFSA or MASFA by June 1.
Getting in doesn’t apply you for donor money. The Corsair General Scholarship Application is a separate step, and incoming students can only log in after they deposit.
Merit can vanish for good. Drop below 12 day credits a semester, 24 a year, or a 3.0 GPA (3.25 and 30 credits for Commonwealth) and the award is permanently forfeited. Only day credits count.
State tuition credits can collide. The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship can’t be combined with other tuition credits, and UMassD’s merit awards are tuition credits. Ask which one applies before you count on both.
Admissions timing note: Early Action closes November 15, and UMassD’s admissions priority date is March 1. Earlier applicants get priority for programs, housing and aid.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is test-optional for admission, but scholarships can work differently (see the next question).
Do you need test scores for scholarships at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth? Chancellor's, Dean's and Admissions awards can be earned on GPA alone, but the University Commonwealth Scholarship for Massachusetts residents requires a 32 ACT or 1450 SAT.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 26-30; SAT: 1050-1270.
Average net price? About $17,093/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
Yes. It participates in NEBHE.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth: 2026–2027 Rates
Figures verified against official sources in September 2026.
📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has published. Colleges usually release next year's costs in the spring, and we update this page when they do.
Budgeting tip: costs typically rise 2% to 5% a year. For 2027–2028, plan on roughly
$700 to $1,800 more than the in-state total below.$1,100 to $2,700 more than the out-of-state total below.
In-State: billed cost per year
$36,473
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$16,773
Housing & meals (typical)
$19,700
Total billed cost
$36,473
Out-of-State: billed cost per year
$54,636
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$34,936
Housing & meals (typical)
$19,700
Total billed cost
$54,636
That is $18,163 more per year than Massachusetts residents pay, before any waivers or scholarships.
Average federal net price: $17,093 per year.
This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, for in-state students only, based on the most recent federal data. It counts books and living costs, so it can run higher than the billed total above. Families who got no grants are not in this average, so many middle-income families pay more. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Out-of-state families: this average does not include you. Run the college's own net price calculator for a number based on your situation.
📌 Regional Tuition & Waiver Options
New England Regional Rate: Residents of Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont pay a regional rate instead of full out-of-state tuition. For 2026-27 that is $22,711 in tuition and fees versus $34,936, a savings of about $12,225 a year, and UMassD says the rate holds for the student's entire time there. It covers nearly every on-campus bachelor's program (UMassD participates in NEBHE Tuition Break under the flexible policy).
Massachusetts families earning $75,000 or less: the UMass Dartmouth Deal covers tuition and mandatory fees for eligible in-state students who file the FAFSA or MASFA by June 1.
New England Families: Check the Regional Rate First
If you live in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont, your student pays $22,711 in tuition and fees instead of $34,936. That’s about $12,225 a year back in your pocket, and UMassD says the rate holds for your student’s whole time there. It covers nearly every on-campus bachelor’s program. See the NEBHE Tuition Break guide for how this works across New England.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at UMass Dartmouth
What does a year at UMass Dartmouth actually cost in 2026-27?
For a student living on campus, the billed costs are about $36,473 for Massachusetts residents, $42,411 for New England regional students, and $54,636 for everyone else. Add roughly $3,200 for books, travel and personal expenses. Those are sticker prices before any scholarships or grants.
Who gets the New England Regional Rate?
Residents of Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont enrolled in an on-campus undergraduate program. It saves about $12,225 a year in tuition and lasts for the whole degree. It doesn’t touch housing or food, which cost the same $19,700 for everyone.
Does the UMass Dartmouth Deal make college free?
It makes tuition and mandatory fees free for eligible Massachusetts families earning $75,000 or less. Housing, meals, books and health insurance are still on you. Deal students are guaranteed on-campus housing, but they still pay for it.
How much can we save if our student commutes?
A lot. A Massachusetts resident living at home pays about $16,773 in billed costs, compared with $36,473 on campus. UMassD budgets another $5,940 for commuting and personal costs.
Can out-of-state students outside New England get in-state tuition?
Not through a waiver. The realistic ways to close the gap are the automatic merit awards (Chancellor’s, Dean’s and the Admissions Award are open to all states) plus federal aid.
Can a merit award shrink after it’s awarded?
It can. UMassD applies merit as a credit against tuition and says the award may be reduced if final charges or the cost of attendance change, with no refund of the difference. Read the award letter closely.
Fall of senior year: Founders’ Scholarship application window (Massachusetts residents).
At admission: Automatic merit is decided with the admission decision. No separate form.
April 1: FAFSA priority date for merit and need-based consideration and for Corsair donor scholarships.
After deposit: Log into the Corsair Scholarship Portal and complete the General Scholarship Application.
June 1: FAFSA or MASFA deadline for the UMass Dartmouth Deal.
Parent rule of thumb: file the FAFSA in the fall. April 1 is the priority date, but nothing is gained by waiting until then.
Automatic Merit Scholarships at UMass Dartmouth
These awards are handed out at admission based on your student’s GPA or test score. There’s no separate application. UMassD doesn’t publish dollar amounts for Chancellor’s, Dean’s or the Admissions Award, so you’ll see the number in the admission and aid letters. The one exception is the University Commonwealth Scholarship, which covers full tuition and fees for top Massachusetts students and does require test scores.
Find your student's tier
Enter the numbers you have. We'll highlight the automatic award your student would actually get and tuck the rest out of the way. Leave it blank to browse everything.
Residency
Based on published cutoffs for entering freshmen. Always verify with the college before finalizing plans.
Start with your state. The awards in this first group come from the state, not the college. They are decided by residency and the FAFSA, and they stack on top of whatever automatic merit award the college gives below. If you live out of state, use the toggle above and these will step aside.
State AidAutomatic
John and Abigail Adams Scholarship
📅 Deadline: No application. The state notifies eligible students in the fall of senior year. ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$1,417/yr
✘ Not stackable
Massachusetts students who receive the Adams award from the state; eligibility rules are set by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, enroll full time (12+ day credits) and file the FAFSA every year.
💡
Strategic Detail
A non-need tuition credit, not a cash award. It cannot be combined with any other tuition credits, and UMassD's automatic merit awards are also applied as tuition credits, so ask the Student Service Center which one applies. Up to eight semesters within six years of high school graduation.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Massachusetts students who receive the Adams award letter from the state in the fall of senior year.
State AidApp Required
Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Tuition Credit
📅 Deadline: Set by the state program; see the Massachusetts DHE Koplik page. ✓ Renews (3.3 GPA)
$1,417/yr
✘ Not stackable
Currently enrolled in a Massachusetts public high school, permanent Massachusetts resident, U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, and a Certificate of Mastery candidate (Advanced on at least one grade 10 MCAS subject and Proficient on the rest).
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the state program, then submit the Koplik letter and certificate to the UMassD Student Service Center.
💡
Strategic Detail
A state tuition credit. Recipients must file the FAFSA each year and enroll full time (12+ day credits). UMassD does not say how it combines with merit tuition credits, so confirm with the Student Service Center.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Massachusetts public high school students with strong grade 10 MCAS results.
State AidAutomatic
Valedictorian Program Tuition Waiver
📅 Deadline: No deadline listed. Submit the certifying letter before your first bill. Non-Renewable
Varies
✘ Not stackable
Designated valedictorian of a Massachusetts public or private high school; permanent Massachusetts resident for at least one year before the academic year; files the FAFSA each year; enrolled in a UMassD degree program; Selective Service compliant and not in default on student loans.
💡
Strategic Detail
A state tuition credit. UMassD does not say how it combines with merit tuition credits, so confirm with the Student Service Center.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Massachusetts valedictorians.
One award, not a pile. Colleges apply your student's single best automatic award. Automatic scholarships almost never stack with each other, though some stack with housing, departmental, or outside money. The stacking notes on each card tell you which.
Full TuitionAutomatic
University Commonwealth Scholarship
📅 Deadline: No separate application or deadline. Awarded at the time of admission. ✓ Renews (3.25 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Tuition
full tuition and mandatory fees
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.8+ GPA✎ ~32 ACT✎ ~1450 SATMassachusetts residents only. Needs all three: a 3.75+ weighted GPA after seven semesters (or top 5 percent of class), a 1450 SAT or 32 ACT, and a record of activities showing potential to contribute. Because a test score is part of the criteria, test-optional applicants should not expect this award.
💡
Strategic Detail
Covers mandatory tuition and fees for up to four years (eight semesters). Housing and meals are not included. Online and Continuing Education courses are not covered, and UMassD notes the award may be reduced if final charges change.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Top Massachusetts students: a 3.75+ weighted GPA or top-5-percent rank, a 1450+ SAT or 32+ ACT, and real involvement outside class. Because it already covers tuition and fees, it overlaps with the UMass Dartmouth Deal rather than adding to it.
Automatic
Chancellor’s Scholarship
📅 Deadline: No separate application or deadline. Awarded at the time of admission. ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.8+ GPA✎ ~25 ACT✎ ~1200 SATMeet either one: a 3.8 GPA, or a 1200 SAT / 25 ACT. Open to in-state and out-of-state first-year day students. UMassD does not publish the dollar amount; it appears in the admission and aid letters.
💡
Strategic Detail
Applied as a credit to tuition each semester for up to four years (eight semesters). Online and Continuing Education charges are not covered, and UMassD says the award may be reduced if final charges change.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Strong students who clear either bar. A 3.8 GPA qualifies without test scores, and a 1200 SAT qualifies even with a lower GPA.
Automatic
Dean’s Scholarship
📅 Deadline: No separate application or deadline. Awarded at the time of admission. ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.4+ GPA✎ ~22 ACT✎ ~1100 SATMeet either one: a 3.4 GPA, or an 1100 SAT / 22 ACT. Open to in-state and out-of-state first-year day students. Dollar amount is not published.
💡
Strategic Detail
Applied as a credit to tuition each semester for up to four years (eight semesters). Online and Continuing Education charges are not covered, and the award may be reduced if final charges change.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: The broad middle of the admitted class: roughly a 3.4 to 3.79 GPA, or an 1100 to 1190 SAT / 22 to 24 ACT.
Automatic
Admissions Award
📅 Deadline: No separate application or deadline. Awarded at the time of admission. ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
🏫 2.7+ GPA✎ ~20 ACT✎ ~1000 SATMeet either one: a 2.7 GPA, or a 1000 SAT / 20 ACT. Note: UMassD's test-optional FAQ says a 3.25 GPA makes a student eligible for merit, while the merit scholarship page lists 2.7 for this award. Ask admissions which applies.
💡
Strategic Detail
Applied as a credit to tuition each semester for up to four years (eight semesters). Online and Continuing Education charges are not covered, and the award may be reduced if final charges change. Dollar amount is not published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Solid admits who clear either bar. Good news for students whose transcript and test score don't line up.
Data last verified Sep 29, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Note: The tiers are built as a ladder, so expect one automatic award, not several. UMassD recommends sending scores of 1080+ SAT or 22+ ACT (1200 / 25 for nursing) for extra scholarship consideration, and holding back scores below that.
Automatic Merit FAQs (UMass Dartmouth)
How much are the Chancellor’s, Dean’s and Admissions Awards worth?
UMassD doesn’t publish the amounts. They show up in your student’s admission and aid letters. Compare offers side by side once they arrive.
Does my student need both a GPA and a test score to qualify?
No. For Chancellor’s (3.8 GPA or 1200 SAT / 25 ACT), Dean’s (3.4 or 1100 / 22) and the Admissions Award (2.7 or 1000 / 20), meeting either one is enough.
What does it take to get the University Commonwealth Scholarship?
Massachusetts residency, a 3.75+ weighted GPA after seven semesters (or top 5 percent of the class), a 1450 SAT or 32 ACT, and a record of activities. It covers mandatory tuition and fees for up to four years, but not housing or meals.
Can test-optional students still get merit?
Yes, for every tier except Commonwealth. One wrinkle: UMassD’s test-optional FAQ says students with a 3.25 GPA are eligible for merit, while the merit scholarship page lists 2.7 for the Admissions Award. If your student is between those numbers, ask admissions directly.
How does my student keep the award?
Stay full time (12 day credits each semester), earn 24 day credits a year, and keep a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Commonwealth needs a 3.25 and 30 credits a year. Miss the bar and the award is gone for good, not just paused.
Does UMassD superscore the SAT or ACT for merit?
UMassD’s merit pages don’t say. If your student has scores from more than one test date, ask admissions how they’ll be combined before deciding which to send.
Are these awards open to out-of-state students?
Chancellor’s, Dean’s and the Admissions Award are open to all first-year day students. Commonwealth is Massachusetts-only.
UMass Dartmouth has one true flagship award: the Founders’ Scholarship. It’s a four-year full ride covering tuition, fees, a double room and meals, and it goes to two Massachusetts seniors a year. Everything else competitive runs through the Corsair Scholarship Portal (see Hidden Gems) or the Honors College.
Full RideApp Required
Founders’ Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Application opens in the fall of senior year through the UMassD applicant portal. Finalists are chosen in January and two winners are announced in mid-February. Check the Founders' page for the exact closing date. · 📢 Results: Mid-February ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Ride
full ride (tuition, mandatory fees, housing, meals, health plan)
✔ Stackable
🏫 4.0+ GPA✎ ~25 ACT✎ ~1200 SAT👥 ~2 per year winners/yrMassachusetts residents only. Weighted cumulative GPA of 4.0 plus a 1200 SAT or 25 ACT, or apply test-optional. Students close to the criteria can still apply; UMassD will contact the school counselor.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Last-dollar award: grants and other scholarships are applied first, then Founders' covers what is left of the listed costs. Recipients must live on campus and work as admissions ambassadors.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to UMassD, then complete the Founders' Scholarship application in the applicant portal: high school transcript, a short essay on why you are a strong candidate, a list of activities and accomplishments, and a nomination form completed by a school administrator (UMassD emails the link to the administrator).
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Covers tuition, mandatory fees, a standard double room, up to an unlimited meal plan, and the university health plan if the student lacks qualifying insurance. Not covered: enrollment and housing deposits, books, parking, fines, and orientation, transcript, MASSPIRG (waivable), graduation and alumni fees. Winners join the Honors College.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Two Massachusetts seniors a year with top grades plus real leadership and service. Recent winners came from across the state.
Data last verified Sep 29, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
✅ How UMassD Awards Fit Together
Aid Type
How It Combines
Parent Translation
Automatic Merit
One tier
Your student lands in one tier based on GPA or scores. It’s a credit against tuition, and it can shrink if final charges change.
Founders’ Scholarship
Last-dollar
Grants and other scholarships are applied first, then Founders’ covers the rest of tuition, fees, room and meals.
UMass Dartmouth Deal
Built on grants
Covers tuition and fees after federal and state grants. It overlaps with Commonwealth, since both pay the same bill.
State Tuition Credits (Adams, Valedictorian, Koplik)
Often no
Adams can’t be combined with other tuition credits, and merit is a tuition credit. Ask the Student Service Center which applies.
Corsair Donor Scholarships
Usually layer on
These are the gap fillers for housing and meals. Always check the award letter.
Army ROTC
Check
Terms are set by the Army through the Patriot Battalion at Providence College.
❓ Founders’ Scholarship FAQs
Who can apply for the Founders’ Scholarship?
Massachusetts residents with a 4.0 weighted GPA and a 1200 SAT or 25 ACT, or who apply test-optional. UMassD specifically says students who aren’t sure they meet every requirement should apply anyway, and admissions will talk with their counselor.
What goes into the application?
After applying to UMassD, your student completes the Founders’ application in the applicant portal: transcript, a short essay on why they’re a strong candidate, an activities list, and a nomination form from a school administrator. UMassD emails the nomination link straight to the administrator. Families can use our Essay Toolkit and Brag Sheet Builder to get ready.
When is the deadline?
The application opens in the fall of senior year. Finalists are picked in January and two winners are announced in mid-February. UMassD doesn’t post the closing date until the cycle opens, so check the Founders’ page early in the fall.
What’s the catch?
Winners must live on campus all four years and work as admissions ambassadors. It also doesn’t cover deposits, books, parking, fines, or orientation, transcript, MASSPIRG, graduation and alumni fees.
Do Founders’ Scholars join the Honors College?
Yes. UMassD’s announcements show recent winners joining the Honors College cohort.
Is there a competitive award for out-of-state students?
Not at the Founders’ level. Out-of-state students should focus on the automatic tiers, the New England Regional Rate if eligible, and the Corsair General Scholarship Application.
🧠 Parent Strategy: UMassD’s “Deposit, Then Apply” Rule
At UMassD, the admission letter covers automatic merit, and that’s it. Donor scholarships live in the
Corsair Scholarship Portal, and incoming students can’t even log in until after they deposit.
File the FAFSA by April 1 (many portal awards are need-based).
Deposit, then log in with your student’s myUMassD credentials.
Complete the UMassD General Scholarship Application. One form covers many awards.
If you’re a Massachusetts family, send any Adams, Valedictorian or Koplik letters to the Student Service Center.
Parent translation: UMassD says it hands out more than $1 million a year in scholarships through this portal. Skip the form and your student is simply not in the running.
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
These don’t come automatically with the admission letter. Some are Massachusetts-only, some are for transfer students, and one is the single most important form most families never fill out.
Full TuitionAutomaticgeographicneed based
The UMass Dartmouth Deal
📅 Deadline: File the FAFSA or MASFA by June 1. ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
tuition and mandatory fees
✔ Stackable
⚠ Massachusetts residents with family income of $75,000 or less; covers tuition and mandatory fees, not housing or meals.
Massachusetts residents. FAFSA filers must be Pell eligible with household AGI of $75,000 or less; MASFA filers need eligible status under the Massachusetts Tuition Equity Law and an SAI of 7,500 or less. Must be a full-time (12+ credit) on-campus undergraduate seeking a first bachelor's degree, starting in a fall semester.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Built on top of federal and state grants; the final cost depends on the individual aid offer. It overlaps with the University Commonwealth Scholarship, since both cover tuition and fees.
💡
Strategic Detail
Covers tuition, mandatory fees and college fees for up to four years. Housing, meals, books and health insurance are not covered, though Deal students are guaranteed on-campus housing. Funding depends on federal Pell and state grant programs.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
In-state students from families earning $75,000 or less who file the FAFSA or MASFA on time. No separate application.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Corsair General Scholarship Application
📅 Deadline: 2026-27 deadlines vary by scholarship. File the FAFSA by April 1 for need-based awards. Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All UndergradEnrolled or deposited UMassD students. Most awards require full-time enrollment (12+ day credits for undergraduates). Need-based awards require a FAFSA filed by April 1 and completed verification.
📄
How to Apply
After depositing, log in with myUMassD credentials, complete the UMassD General Scholarship Application, and file the FAFSA by April 1.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
One application puts the student in the running for many UMassD Foundation and UMass Presidential scholarships. UMassD says it awards more than $1 million a year in need- and merit-based scholarships. Reapply each year. UMassD warns that essays that read as AI-written will not be reviewed.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who actually complete it, with a FAFSA on file by April 1.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Chancellor's Transfer Scholarship
📅 Deadline: No separate application. Awarded at the time of transfer admission. ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 3 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA🎓 TransferTransfer students with a 3.5+ cumulative GPA at the time of application.
💡
Strategic Detail
Applied as a tuition credit for up to three years (six semesters) with full-time enrollment (12 day credits) and a 3.0 GPA; forfeited permanently if either slips. Amount not published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Strong transfer students.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Dean's Transfer Scholarship
📅 Deadline: No separate application. Awarded at the time of transfer admission. ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 3 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPA🎓 TransferTransfer students with a 3.25+ cumulative GPA at the time of application.
💡
Strategic Detail
Applied as a tuition credit for up to three years (six semesters) with full-time enrollment (12 day credits) and a 3.0 GPA; forfeited permanently if either slips. Amount not published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Solid transfer students.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Transfer Admissions Award
📅 Deadline: No separate application. Awarded at the time of transfer admission. ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 3 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 TransferTransfer students with a 3.0+ cumulative GPA at the time of application.
💡
Strategic Detail
Applied as a tuition credit for up to three years (six semesters) with full-time enrollment (12 day credits) and a 3.0 GPA; forfeited permanently if either slips. Amount not published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Transfer students with a B average.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarship
📅 Deadline: No separate deadline. Submit the PTK membership certificate to Admissions with the transfer application. ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 3 yrs)
$1,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 TransferActive Phi Theta Kappa members completing an associate degree, admitted as full-time transfers with a 3.0+ GPA.
💡
Strategic Detail
UMassD lists this as a $1,000 award, valid for up to three years (six semesters) with full-time enrollment and a 3.0 GPA. PTK members may also qualify for the Chancellor's Transfer Scholarship.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Community college transfers who are active PTK members.
App Required⚠ Transfer Only
UMass Community College Advantage Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Complete the UMass CCAS interest form after your community college confirms eligibility. ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 2 yrs)
$5,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 TransferTop 10 percent of a Massachusetts community college graduating class by the end of the prior fall, eligible for in-state tuition, 45+ transferable credits, on track to finish the associate degree before enrolling, full-time, enrolling right after the associate degree, and FAFSA or state aid application filed.
📄
How to Apply
After your community college sends the eligibility letter, complete the UMass CCAS interest form. Apply to UMassD with a MassTransfer application or the CCAS fee waiver code listed on UMassD's merit page.
💡
Strategic Detail
Guarantees UMass admission and at least $2,500 per semester ($5,000 a year, $10,000 total) for the final two years, credited to tuition. Keep full-time status and a 3.0 GPA. UMassD does not say how it combines with transfer merit awards, so confirm with the Student Service Center.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Top-10-percent Massachusetts community college graduates.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Army ROTC (with Providence College)
📅 Deadline: Army ROTC scholarship deadlines are set nationally; contact the Patriot Battalion. ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Contact the Patriot Battalion about national Army ROTC scholarships and enrollment.
Selection criteria: Physical, academic, and leadership standards required.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Army ROTC is offered through a cooperative program with the Patriot Battalion at Providence College. UMassD cadets do physical training on the UMassD campus Monday and Wednesday and at Providence College on Fridays. Contact: 401-865-2471 or patriot5@providence.edu.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students planning to serve as Army officers after graduation.
Data last verified Sep 29, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Hidden Gems FAQ
What is the Corsair General Scholarship Application?
It’s one application that puts your student in the running for many UMassD Foundation and UMass Presidential scholarships. Deadlines vary by scholarship, and need-based awards require the FAFSA by April 1. UMassD also warns that essays that read as AI-written won’t be reviewed, so have your student write it themselves.
Who qualifies for the UMass Dartmouth Deal?
Massachusetts residents from families earning $75,000 or less. FAFSA filers need to be Pell eligible with AGI at or under $75,000, and MASFA filers need an SAI of 7,500 or less. There’s no separate application. File the FAFSA or MASFA by June 1 and eligible students are enrolled automatically.
My student got an Adams Scholarship letter. How do we use it?
Forward the state letter to the Student Service Center. Just know that Adams can’t be combined with other tuition credits, and UMassD’s merit awards are tuition credits, so ask which one your student will actually receive.
Are there awards for valedictorians?
Yes. Massachusetts valedictorians can get a state tuition credit by sending a letter from the principal or superintendent confirming the title. Your student also needs a FAFSA on file each year.
We’re starting at community college. Is there money for transfers?
Quite a bit. Transfers are automatically considered for Chancellor’s (3.5 GPA), Dean’s (3.25) and the Transfer Admissions Award (3.0). Top-10-percent Massachusetts community college grads can get at least $5,000 a year through the UMass Community College Advantage Scholarship, and Phi Theta Kappa members get $1,000.
Does UMassD have ROTC?
Army ROTC is available through the Patriot Battalion at Providence College, and UMassD cadets do some physical training right on the Dartmouth campus. Scholarship terms are set by the Army.
The UMass Dartmouth Honors College is a small community inside a mid-sized university: smaller classes, a living and learning community, research with faculty, and a senior capstone called the APEX. Here’s the part families like: there’s no separate application for high school seniors. UMassD invites students to join as part of the regular admission review.
Who gets in: One recent entering class of 166 students averaged a 4.207 GPA and a 1280 SAT. AP coursework helps.
Already enrolled? Current UMassD students with a 3.5+ GPA and 60 or fewer credits can apply by the last day of classes in a semester.
Transfers: Students from the Commonwealth Honors Program at a Massachusetts public college are automatically eligible.
Honors College Scholarships
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Shaukat Ali Memorial Humanitarian Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Posted each year on the Corsair Scholarship Portal. Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All UndergradFull-time (12+ day credits) Honors College student. Preference for a 3.2+ cumulative GPA, academic promise, and community service and volunteerism.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Donor scholarships generally layer on top of merit; check the award letter.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the Corsair Scholarship Portal while enrolled full time in the Honors College.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Honors the ideals of Dr. Shaukat Ali: honesty, hard work, compassion, humility and goodwill toward people of all faiths, ethnicities and nationalities. Amount and renewal terms are not published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors students with a real service record who reflect the values the award honors.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Margaret M. Panos Honors Essay Award
📅 Deadline: Posted each year on the Corsair Scholarship Portal. Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
👥 ~3 per year winners/yr🎓 All UndergradAny enrolled Honors College student in good standing.
✚
Stacking & Combining
One-time prize credited to the student account.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the essay through the Corsair Scholarship Portal during the posted call.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Essay competition. The top three essays win prizes credited to fall semester charges, or refunded to a graduating senior with no balance. Amount not published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Strong writers from any major.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Ruth & Dean Cassell Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Posted each year on the Corsair Scholarship Portal. ✓ Renews (3.2 GPA)
Varies
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.2+ GPA🎓 All UndergradFull-time Honors student with a 3.2+ cumulative GPA who played a varsity sport in high school. Preference for leadership, teamwork, student government, RA or orientation leader roles, or substantial financial need.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Donor scholarships generally layer on top of merit; check the award letter.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the Corsair Scholarship Portal.
💡
Strategic Detail
Renewal requires reapplying and is not guaranteed, so plan on one year. Amount not published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Former high school varsity athletes in Honors who lead on campus.
App Required⚠ Junior Only
Louise A. Habicht University Honors Program Senior Honors Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Spring of junior year; posted on the Corsair Scholarship Portal. Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 JuniorCurrent junior in good standing who will be a full-time Honors senior completing the APEX project at UMassD and graduating the following year.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Donor scholarships generally layer on top of merit; check the award letter.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the Corsair Scholarship Portal in the spring of junior year.
💡
Strategic Detail
Awarded in the spring of junior year for use in senior year. Amount not published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Honors juniors committed to the APEX senior project.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Rick Pitino Presidential Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Posted each year on the Corsair Scholarship Portal. ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All UndergradFull-time (12+ day credits) undergraduate in the Honors Program.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Donor scholarships generally layer on top of merit; check the award letter.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the Corsair Scholarship Portal.
💡
Strategic Detail
Recipients may apply for renewal, but UMassD says an award does not imply continuation beyond one year. Amount not published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Full-time Honors students; no GPA cutoff is published.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
John Smith Presidential Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Posted each year on the Corsair Scholarship Portal. ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All UndergradFull-time Honors student in good academic standing who is a Massachusetts resident.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Donor scholarships generally layer on top of merit; check the award letter.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the Corsair Scholarship Portal.
💡
Strategic Detail
Renewable in principle, but UMassD says an award does not imply continuation beyond one year. Amount not published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Massachusetts residents in the Honors Program with a solid record.
Data last verified Sep 29, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
UMassD doesn’t publish amounts for these awards. Each one is posted with its details and deadline on the Corsair Scholarship Portal every year.
Timing Note: Almost all Honors scholarships are for students who are already enrolled in the Honors College. They won’t be in the admission letter. Your student applies through the Corsair portal once they’re on campus, and several awards are single-year unless your student reapplies.
Beyond the Scholarships
Research money: The Honors College runs a Summer Research Fellowship (SuRF) and offers research and travel funding.
APEX senior project: The Louise A. Habicht award supports seniors finishing their APEX.
Founders’ Scholars: Winners of UMassD’s full ride join the Honors College.
Honors College FAQs (UMass Dartmouth)
Does my student need to apply separately to Honors?
Not as a high school senior. UMassD invites students as part of the regular admission review. Space is very limited, so a strong transcript with AP courses matters.
Do Honors scholarships come with the invitation?
No. They’re separate awards your student applies for through the Corsair Scholarship Portal once enrolled.
Can out-of-state students get Honors scholarships?
Most of them, yes. The John Smith Presidential Scholarship is the exception; it requires Massachusetts residency.
Is there an award for former athletes?
Yes. The Ruth and Dean Cassell Scholarship is for Honors students with a 3.2+ GPA who played a varsity sport in high school, with preference for campus leaders and students with financial need.
Do these awards renew automatically?
Usually not. For the Pitino, John Smith and Cassell awards, UMassD says an award doesn’t imply continuation beyond one year. Budget as if it’s a one-year award.
UMass Dartmouth sits on the South Coast of Massachusetts, near New Bedford and Fall River, about an hour from both Boston and Providence. It’s a research university that still feels mid-sized, with about 6,000 undergraduates. Its strengths line up with what the region needs: nurses, engineers, business grads, and people who work on and around the ocean.
Nationally Known Program: Nursing: U.S. News ranks UMassD’s undergraduate nursing program in the top 9 percent nationally. Students train in the Pennington SimLab, and UMassD reports 96 percent of its nursing and health sciences graduates were employed within six months. It’s also competitive: UMassD suggests a 1200 SAT or 25 ACT for nursing applicants who submit scores, and has an earlier March 1 priority application date.
Charlton College of Business: AACSB-accredited and ranked by U.S. News as the 4th highest public undergraduate business program in Massachusetts. Finance and accounting feed straight into regional firms.
Engineering: ABET-accredited programs in bioengineering, civil, computer, electrical and mechanical engineering, many with a combined BS/MS option.
Computer Science: Nationally ranked, with concentrations in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and software engineering. The Princeton Review lists UMassD among its top 50 schools for game design.
Marine Science: The School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) gives marine biology students real fieldwork and internships up and down the Cape and Islands.
Visual and Performing Arts: NASAD-accredited art and design programs, including animation and game arts, fashion design, illustration and graphic design.
Portuguese Studies: A true regional specialty in one of the country’s largest Portuguese-American communities. UMassD reports every Portuguese major in the Class of 2025 was employed within six months.
A path to law school: UMass Law, the state’s only public law school, is on the same campus, and some undergraduates use an accelerated 3+3 track into it.
🔗 Official UMass Dartmouth Links
Use UMass Dartmouth’s own pages below to double-check deadlines, award rules and costs. When anything here and the university’s site disagree, the university’s site wins.
UMass Dartmouth is a value school, and it’s honest about it. It doesn’t try to be the flagship. Instead it’s built a real set of price breaks: free tuition and fees through the Deal for Massachusetts families earning $75,000 or less, a regional rate that knocks about $12,000 a year off for the rest of New England, full tuition for top in-state test-takers, and a full ride for two Massachusetts seniors a year. Carnegie puts UMassD in its highest tier of opportunity colleges, which tracks with who this school is built for.
If your student is heading into nursing, business, engineering, computer science or marine science, the programs hold their own. The money moves to make: file the FAFSA early, send scores only if they help (and definitely if your student is chasing Commonwealth), and don’t stop at the admission letter. The Corsair General Scholarship Application is where the extra dollars live.
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Leo Dimilo founded CollegeReadyParent after working through college costs with his own daughter. He writes every guide in plain English for middle-income and first-generation families, with no paywalls and no lead forms.
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