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The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship is a merit-based program that provides financial assistance to eligible students in Massachusetts who have demonstrated high academic achievement on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests or other state assessment tests.
It covers the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at eligible colleges and universities in Massachusetts and is a significant achievement for eligible students.
In this article, we will explore the eligibility requirements, benefits, application process, and other important details related to the scholarship.
Whether you are a high school student preparing to take the MCAS or a college student seeking financial assistance, this article will provide you with everything you need to know about the scholarship.
Overview of the Program
The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship is a merit-based award that provides tuition waivers for up to eight semesters of undergraduate education at a Massachusetts state college or university.
This scholarship program is named after John Adams, a Founding Father and second President of the United States, and his wife Abigail Adams, who was an advocate for women’s rights and education.
The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship is highly competitive for several reasons:
- Eligibility is limited to a small percentage of students: To be eligible for the scholarship, a student must score at the “Advanced” level on either the MCAS or SAT exams in English and math. Only the top 25% of students in each high school in Massachusetts are eligible for the scholarship, which means that the competition for the award is limited to a small pool of high-achieving students.
- Limited funding: The state of Massachusetts sets aside a specific amount of funding for the scholarship program each year. The number of scholarships awarded depends on the available funding, which can fluctuate from year to year. This means that not all eligible students may receive the scholarship due to limited funding.
- Benefits of the scholarship: This scholarship provides a significant benefit to recipients. As a result, many high-achieving students in Massachusetts apply for the scholarship each year, making it a highly competitive award.
Regardless of all that, the scholarship helps to reduce the financial burden of attending college, making higher education more accessible to students who might not otherwise be able to afford it.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the scholarship, a student in the class of 2015 or earlier must have done really well on the MCAS test in grade 10 in either Math or English Language Arts and at least proficient in the other subject. Also, they must have done well enough overall, ranking in the top 25% of their school district.
On the other hand, a student in the class of 2016 or after must do really well on at least one of three high school state assessment tests in English Language Arts, Math, or STE, and do well on the other two by scoring at least proficient.
They must also have a combined score on all three assessments that puts them in the top 25% of their school district.
Additionally, students must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or authorized to live and work in the U.S. by the federal government
- Not have received a prior bachelor’s degree or its equivalent
- Be enrolled full-time in a certificate, associate’s, or bachelor’s degree program at an eligible institution
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student (FAFSA)
- Be in compliance with applicable law regarding Selective Service Registration
How to Get the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship
To get the scholarship, you must meet the eligibility requirements and be nominated by your high school.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you should contact your high school guidance counselor to inquire about the scholarship and the nomination process.
Next, your school will submit your name for consideration to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, who will review your application and determine whether you qualify for the scholarship.
Schools that offer the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship
Aside from the University of Massachusetts, here are the Massachusetts schools offering this scholarship program:
- Bridgewater State University
- Fitchburg State University
- Framingham State University
- Massachusetts College of Art and Design
- Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
- Massachusetts Maritime Academy
- Salem State University
- Westfield State University
- Worcester State University
- Berkshire Community College
- Bristol Community College
- Bunker Hill Community College
- Cape Cod Community College
- Greenfield Community College
- Holyoke Community College
- MassBay Community College
- Massasoit Community College
- Middlesex Community College
- Wachusett Community College
- North Shore Community College
- Northern Essex Community College
- Quinsigamond Community College
- Roxbury Community College
- Springfield Technical Community College
John and Abigail Adams Scholarship at UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst accepts the scholarship for eligible students. If you are an eligible student and have received the scholarship, you can use it to cover tuition and mandatory fees at UMass Amherst.
To use the scholarship at UMass Amhers, you must submit the scholarship information to the University’s financial aid office, and they will apply the scholarship to your account.
The scholarship can provide up to $1,714 in financial assistance.
John and Abigail Adams Scholarship at UMass Lowell
UMass Lowell also provides this scholarship to eligible students. In fact, it is one of the eligible institutions in Massachusetts where students can use their John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.
If you have been awarded the scholarship and are enrolled at UMass Lowell, you can use it to pay for your tuition and mandatory fees. You will need to provide your scholarship information to the financial aid at UMass Lowell. Then, they will apply the scholarship to your account.
The scholarship, which has a monetary value of $1,454, is available to eligible students who are enrolled at UMass Lowell.
John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Letter
The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship letter is a notification letter sent to eligible students in Massachusetts who have been awarded the scholarship.
This letter is usually sent by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to high school students who meet the eligibility criteria for the scholarship.
It provides information about the scholarship award, including the amount of the scholarship, the eligibility requirements, and instructions on how to use the scholarship at eligible institutions.
The letter also contains information about the deadlines for accepting and using the scholarship, and it may include other important details related to the scholarship.
Receiving the letter is a significant achievement for eligible students. Students who receive the scholarship are encouraged to read the letter carefully and to contact the scholarship provider or the financial aid office at their college or university if they have any question or concerns.
