Scholarships & Grants
There are many ways to fund your education at HCC. Institutional grants, access grants, talent grants, and scholarships are all money for your education that you don't have to pay back.
Holyoke Community College Foundation Scholarships
Each year, the Holyoke Community College Foundation, a non-profit organization, disburses over $300,000 in scholarship awards to HCC students. Applications for the next scholarship cycle are expected to be posted online here starting in late January. Applicants are considered for a variety of scholarships; the foundation scholarship committee reviews the applications and decides which scholarship best suits each applicant. Get all the information on our Scholarships page.
Institutional Grant
These grants are normally limited to direct educational costs, including tuition, fees, and books.
HCC Educational Access Grant
Awards normally range from $150 to $300.
HCC Scholarship
Awarded by the Scholarships and Awards Committee to needy students who have successfully completed at least 12 semester hours at HCC.
MASSGrant
- Awards will vary depending on the students' needs. The FAFSA must be completed by May 1, 2023, for the 2023-2024 school year to be eligible.
- Students must apply each year to possibly receive assistance through this grant.
- This grant is for full-time students only. Students with Bachelor's degrees or higher are not eligible.
Financial Aid Tuition Waiver
- Tuition waivers reduce tuition charges and can be up to the full amount of in-state tuition. The waiver is for resident tuition only. Students with Bachelor's degrees or higher are not eligible.
Access Grant
- The Massachusetts Community College Access Grant Program can significantly reduce the tuition and fees for students enrolled in an associate degree program.
- Students with Bachelor's degrees or higher are not eligible.
MASSGrant Plus
Awards vary depending on student need (gap) to meet tuition/fee costs. Note that MASSGrant Plus awards are made after a student's EFC has been calculated. The FAFSA must be completed by January 1, 2024, to be eligible. Available to students taking 6 credits or more per semester.
Note: Links to sources of financial aid from other states can be found here.
Pell Grant
- Amounts can change yearly. The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2023-24 award year (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024).
- Students with Bachelor's degrees or higher are not eligible. Pell Grants are restricted to a lifetime limit of 12 full-time semesters.
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
- These grants normally are at most $200 per year at HCC. Preference is given to students who are enrolled at least half-time (six credits or more) and are eligible for Pell Grants, with $0 expected family contribution. Students with Bachelor's degrees or higher are not eligible.
