Financial Aid
Paying for College. A quality education. At an affordable price.
For the 2026-27 academic year, tuition and fees at MCLA are $13,068 for Massachusetts residents. A resident student living on campus has a total cost of attendance of $34,151, and a Massachusetts resident commuting from home $26,709. If you qualify for the NE/NY regional rate, you pay $13,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,013 at the standard out-of-state rate. Out-of-state cost of attendance is $43,096. Every student who applies for admission is automatically considered for institutional merit scholarships. There is no separate scholarship application.
A liberal arts education can change the direction of your life. We work hard to keep the cost of ours from being the reason you miss out on it.
Financial aid can include grants, scholarships, work-study and federal student loans. Our team can help you understand the options available and the steps required to apply.
Completing the FAFSA is an important first step in understanding the aid that may be available to help make an MCLA education more affordable.
What Does MCLA Cost?
We know a liberal arts education is a major investment. That's why we publish every number that goes into it, so you can see exactly what you would pay and what you should budget for.
For 2026-27, tuition and mandatory fees are $13,174 for Massachusetts residents, $13,689
for students who qualify for the New England/New York regional rate, and $22,119 for
other out-of-state students. The approved cost of attendance is $34,269 for a Massachusetts
resident living on campus, $16,674 for a Massachusetts resident commuting from home,
and $43,214 for an out-of-state student living on campus.
What goes into the cost of attendance?
Cost of attendance is a financial aid budget, not the same thing as your MCLA bill. It includes charges billed by MCLA as well as estimated expenses that may not appear on your bill.
| Direct Costs | Massachusetts | New England & New York | Out-of-state & International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $1,030 | $1,545 | $9,975 |
| Mandatory Fees | $12,038 | $12,038 | $12,038 |
| Tuition & Fees | $13,068 | $13,583 | $22,013 |
| Housing | $11,020 | $11,020 | $11,020 |
| Meals | $6,972 | $6,972 | $6,972 |
| Total Direct Cost, living on campus | $31,060 | $31,575 | $40,005 |
| Total Direct Cost, commuting | $13,068 | $13,583 | $22,013 |
On smaller screens, swipe horizontally within the table to view all columns.
Direct costs are what MCLA bills you. Indirect costs add roughly $3,091 for books
($1,000), transportation ($550), loan fees ($41) and miscellaneous expenses ($1,500).
Direct plus indirect gives the cost of attendance: $34,151 in-state on campus, $26,709
in-state commuting, $43,096 out-of-state on campus. Health insurance of $4,962 is
billed separately and can be waived. Figures published by MCLA for 2026-27.
Can I get financial aid?
Absolutely! Anyone interested in financial aid first needs to complete the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Our school code is 002187. Submitting a FAFSA is
how you're considered for the maximum amount of aid available to you, and there's
no cost to file it.
What kinds of aid does MCLA offer?
Scholarships
Grants
Work-Study
Student Loans
Scholarships, Grants, Work-Study & Student Loans
How do I apply?
Complete the FAFSA and list MCLA using federal school code 002187. Submit it as early as possible and check the current financial aid calendar for the applicable priority date. A new FAFSA is required for each academic year in which you want to be considered for federal aid.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
What do I have to do to keep my aid?
You need to make Satisfactory Academic Progress toward your degree. In your first year, that means completing 60% of attempted credits and a 1.75 GPA. In later years, it's 75% of attempted credits and a 2.0 GPA, regardless of whether you're full-time or part-time. Progress is measured at the end of the spring semester. If you lose eligibility because of unusual circumstances, you can appeal in writing to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee within two weeks of being notified.
What if my situation isn't what my FAFSA shows?
We know your tax returns may not reflect what your family is dealing with right now.
If you've lost a job, had a change in household, or faced unusual medical expenses,
our Office of Student Financial Services can review your file.
Financial Aid at a Glance
A quality education. At an afforadble Price.
Financial Aid Team
FAQs
A: No. All students who apply for admission to MCLA are automatically considered for
institutional merit scholarships. No separate scholarship application is required.
Merit awards are based on high school academic performance for first-year applicants
and on college coursework for transfer applicants. Students should still complete
the FAFSA to be considered for federal and state need-based aid.
A: Massachusetts has expanded in-state tuition eligibility. Students who attended a
Massachusetts high school for at least three years and earned a Massachusetts high
school diploma may qualify for in-state tuition rates regardless of citizenship or
immigration status.
A: For 2026-27, tuition and fees at MCLA are $13,068 for Massachusetts residents. A
resident student living on campus has a total cost of attendance of $34,151; a commuting
student's estimated cost of attendance is $26,709. Students who qualify for the NE/NY
regional rate pay $13,583 in tuition and fees, and other out-of-state students pay
$22,013 with a total cost of attendance of $43,096.
A: Students from states that qualify for the NE/NY regional rate pay a reduced tuition
and fees rate in tuition and fees at MCLA. For 2026-27, regional students pay $13,583
compared with the $22,013 standard out-of-state rate. Eligibility criteria should
be confirmed with the Office of Student Financial Services.
A: Yes. MCLA's published tuition and fees figure combines tuition with mandatory fees
charged to all enrolled students. For 2026-27, that combined figure is $13,068 for
Massachusetts residents, $13,583 for New England regional students, and $22,013 for
other out-of-state students. Room, board and student health insurance are billed separately,
and students in the Nursing program are billed an additional program fee of $3,533.
A: For 2026-27, a Massachusetts resident living on campus is billed $31,060 for tuition,
fees, room and board. Students who don't waive the student health insurance fee are
billed an additional $4,962, bringing a sample bill to $36,022. The published cost
of attendance of $34,151 is higher than the bill because it includes approximately
$3,091 in estimated costs for books, transportation and personal expenses that MCLA
doesn't charge.
