Massachusetts community colleges and state universities are working with
the Department of Higher Education (DHE), the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services’ (EOHHS) Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Commission to implement an academic housing scholarship program that addresses student housing insecurity and homelessness. This scholarship is offered in recognition of students’ resilience and proven ability to pursue a post-secondary education despite socio-economic, racial, and other inequities. It is intended to support students who are committed to earning a college degree and pursuing career and life experiences that are meaningful to them.
This state and federally funded academic housing scholarship program offers an on-campus housing scholarship to students entering college directly from a Massachusetts public high school, a high school equivalency program,
or who are currently enrolled at a Massachusetts public college or university
or subsidized off-campus housing for students currently enrolled in select Massachusetts public college or university (see details below). All on-campus scholarships and subsidized off-campus housing scholarships provide year-round housing (including summer and break housing), meal plans and/or gift cards for food, holistic student support services, and team case management.
Massachusetts high school/HiSET and college/university students, under age 25, can access the Housing Scholarship Program through one of the following scholarship opportunities:
- Moving to College (MTC) Scholarship: This scholarship was created to support college enrollment of Massachusetts public high school graduates (or those obtaining a high school equivalency) who are experiencing homelessness. It is intended for first time/first year students. This program provides housing to eligible students who are experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness and attending a participating public college or university. Additionally, students who receive the MTC housing scholarship are supported through wrap around supports, including holistic student support team case management, and a 365-day meal plan/meal cards. Moving to College scholars live at a public residential college/university campus and take classes at the nearest community college or public residential college/university. Community College students will provide their own means of transportation to and from their residential college/university housing and/or take online courses and/or may be provided flex funds from their Scholarship Regional Team’s YSP (Youth Service Provider). Applicants must complete the FAFSA; can either be in progress of completing their college/university admissions process or registering for classes at either a participating community college or public college/university; and plan to register for at least 24 credits, annually.
The higher education institutional partnerships participating in Moving to College are: Berkshire Community College and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA); North Shore Community College and Salem State University, Mount Wachusett Community College and Fitchburg State University, Massachusetts Bay Community College and Framingham State University.
- Higher Education Housing Scholarship: This scholarship is geared towards any student at a participating campus who is experiencing housing instability or homelessness. This program provides on-campus housing at residential public college/university campuses to eligible students who are experiencing housing instability or homelessness, holistic student supports, and team case management. All participating residential public colleges/universities partner with the nearest community college. Higher Education Housing Scholarship scholars live at a public residential college/university campus and take classes at the nearest community college or public residential college/university. Community College students will provide their own means of transportation to and from their residential college/university housing and/or take online courses and/or may be provided flex funds from their Scholarship Regional Team’s YSP (Youth Service Provider). Applicants must complete the FAFSA, annually, and be registered for at least 24 credits, annually, at either a community college or a state university.
The higher education institutional partners participating in the Higher Education Housing Scholarship are: Holyoke Community College and Westfield State University, Quinsigamond Community College and Worcester State University, Massachusetts Bay Community College and Framingham State University, North Shore Community College and Salem State University, Massasoit Community College and Bridgewater State University, Middlesex Community College and University of Massachusetts Lowell.
- K House Scholarship: K House is an off-campus academic housing opportunity with team case management located in Malden. No meal plan is provided; however, scholars are connected to various resources to secure food. It is a residential building leased by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development with 11 single rooms, shared eat-in kitchen, laundry, living room, yard, and study space. K House is a dynamic living and learning community for the full-time student scholars in residence. Scholars will provide their own means of transportation to and from their residential college/university housing and/or take online classes. K House is within walking distance of the Orange Line.
Applicants must be registered for at least 24-credits, annually, at Bunker Hill Community College, Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), Roxbury Community College, or University of Massachusetts Boston. Recommended for students age 21+.
Students interested in being considered for a housing scholarship need to
complete or return this application by March 1, in any given year, for a fall scholarship start date. Applicants will be invited by members of a Regional Application Review Committee to take part in an interview with decisions expected by April 1. After March 1 or after all scholarships have been awarded (whichever comes first), applications will continue to be accepted and placed on a waitlist. Waitlisted applicants will be introduced to their nearest Youth Service Provider (YSP). As scholarships become available, waitlisted applicants will be notified by a Regional Application Review Committee. The content of this application is
confidential and will only be shared among members of the team making decisions on student admissions and scholarship eligibility and awards. Applicants may be asked to complete a new application each year.
To start the application, click the "Next" button below. An option to Save and Continue progress on your application is available beginning on the next page.