Graduate student aid comes in several forms—some based on financial need, others on merit—and each has specific qualifications and conditions.
Once you are admitted to a Graduate program, you will be automatically reviewed for all available scholarship opportunities.
If you have any questions about graduate scholarships, please reach out to Graduate Admissions.
The Patricia Doran Scholarship
The Patricia A. Doran Scholarship was established by Douglas Govan in memory of his wife, Patricia Doran, former Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education at MassArt.
The scholarship is approximately $1,000 per year for a student in the MFA program.
The Pace Scholarship
The Pace Scholarship was established by Arne Glimcher ’60, one of MassArt’s most successful alumni. Mr. Glimcher founded the Pace Gallery in New York City.
The scholarship is approximately $5,000 per year for a student in the MFA program.
The Creamer Foundation Scholarship
The Creamer Foundation Scholarships was established in memory of George Creamer, former Dean of Graduate Programs, professor and Dean Emeritus.
This scholarship is awarded to an outstanding graduate student who demonstrates financial need and is seeking an MFA degree.
The scholarship is approximately $900 per year for a student in the MFA program.
The Slosburg-Ackerman Scholarship
The Slosburg-Ackerman Scholarship was established to honor Jill Slosburg-Ackerman, former professor, and MFA 3D Program Director.
This award is given in alternating years to a member of the 3D graduate and 3D undergraduate programs, based on merit, financial need, and with a priority given to a member of an underrepresented group.
The scholarship is approximately $1,450 per year for a student in the MFA program.
Vision Foundation Scholarship
The Vision Scholarship will support students who are financially and academically deserving and who demonstrate the potential to make a significant contribution to society through art and design.
Preference will be given to students from underrepresented groups who contribute to MassArt’s commitment to the inclusion of diverse perspectives and voices.
The scholarship is approximately $800 per year for a student in a Master’s program.
MassArt Scholarship for Graduate Study in Photography
The MassArt Scholarship for Graduate Study in Photography was established with a seed gift of $500,000 from an anonymous donor.
Scholarship from this fund will provide support for a MassArt graduate student focusing their practice in Photography. The amount varies, but is between $4,000- $9,000 per year for 2-4 students in the MFA photography program and will be awarded for two years as full time students.
The Casey Blake Ausman Scholarship Fund
The Casey Blake Ausman endowment was established to honor the memory of Casey Blake Ausman, M’16.
This scholarship will provide support for a MassArt graduate student focusing their practice in Sculpture.
This is a fitting tribute that perpetuates the memory of Casey by providing much-needed scholarship support for a deserving student.
The Golda Meir House Scholar-in-Residence Program
The Golda Meir House Scholar-in-Residence Program at 2Life Communities enables a second-year MassArt graduate student to share knowledge about art, design, or education through twice-monthly workshops or talks with community residents aged 62 and older in Newton, MA. This year-long graduate assistantship focuses on developing intergenerational dialogue through creative practice. The residency provides financial support including on-site housing in a two-bedroom apartment for $600 monthly, the option to purchase a lunch meal plan for $100 a month, and a stipend for the assistantship.
Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to graduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, enrolled at least half time in a qualified program at a participating school, and not in default on a prior federal student loan.
Graduate students are eligible to borrow up to $20,500 in a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan in one academic year, regardless of financial need. In order to receive a Stafford Loan, you must be enrolled for at least six credits per semester and must be maintaining satisfactory academic progress.
Beginning in 2026–2027, Federal Direct Loan eligibility is prorated based on enrollment. Full-time graduate enrollment is 9 degree-applicable credits per semester. Students enrolled in 6–8 credits may receive a reduced loan amount based on their enrollment level. Students enrolled in fewer than 6 credits are not eligible for Federal Direct Loans for that enrollment period. Annual loan eligibility is divided equally across periods of enrollment.
Students borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education, and repay to an approved Federal Student Aid Loan Servicer, while our office originates and processes the loan.
You are responsible for the interest accruing while they are enrolled in school, during grace periods, and during authorized deferment periods.
During this time, you may either pay the accumulating interest or capitalize the interest. Capitalization means the unpaid interest will be added to the principal balance of the loan at the beginning of the repayment period.
Your repayment period will begin 6 months after you graduate, withdraw, or drop to less than half-time enrollment. Student loans have varying repayment terms and interest rates and must be repaid.
You can view the current Federal interest rates and fees on studentaid.gov.
Repayment begins 60 days from the date the loan is fully disbursed, but as long as you are enrolled in school on at least a half-time basis, you are eligible for an in-school deferment.
Alternative Loans are available for Graduate students, should you need additional financial assistance to supplement your financial aid package.
Your maximum eligibility for an alternative loan is your cost of attendance, minus any aid you are receiving.
Alternative Loans are not based on need, but on credit worthiness. We recommend that you carefully compare various factors like interest rates, APR (Annual Percentage Rate), the length of repayment, minimum and maximum loan limits, and fees, when researching lenders.
We encourage students to apply for only one or two alternative loans each year. Each application shows up on your credit report as a “hard inquiry.” Too many hard inquiries over fourteen or more days can impact your overall credit score.
If you apply and are approved for more than one alternative loan, please let our office know which one you wish to borrow. Otherwise, we will certify the first application we receive, and cancel any others.
Our office will certify all loans to disburse for all semesters the student is scheduled to enroll for, unless otherwise notified by the student. You should notify our office if you would like a different disbursement schedule after you have completed the application process.
Some lenders may require a student to sign a check. If you need to sign an alternative loan check, our office will communicate with you via your MassArt email.
These lenders offer private student loans with competitive rates while providing good customer service and electronic loan processing.
Graduate assistantships are paid teaching, research, studio, and administrative opportunities available to eligible graduate students. Positions are coordinated through the Graduate Programs Office and are typically offered each semester.
Learn more about Graduate Assistantships →Payment plans are available to students who need an option for paying tuition and fees not covered by Financial Aid and/or other sources. Payment plans can be setup in Self Service.
Setting up a payment plan Payment plan details
