City of Boston scholarship fund
Through the fund, we award new college-goers and continuing education students $2,500 per year to help pay for school.
The City of Boston Scholarship is no longer accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year. The application closed in April 2021. The application for next year will open in January 2022. Check out other scholarship resources!
For other scholarship opportunities and resources, please visit our Higher Education Funding Opportunities page.
If you have questions about the fund, or are interested in making a donation, please contact us at 617-635-0946 or COBscholarship@boston.gov. You can also make a donation online.
Eligibility
To apply for the scholarship, you must be a Boston resident for at least two years at the date of application.
WHO CAN APPLYThe scholarship is for new and current college students AND continuing education students who plan to attend a post-secondary school in Massachusetts. By the time scholarships are awarded, you must have either:
- graduated from high school, or
- completed a GED program.
Please note: this is a need-based scholarship.
You need to plan to enroll as a full-time student in a two-year or four-year university or college in Massachusetts.
Do you plan to go to community college? Our Tuition-Free Community College program is likely the best fit for you.
current COLLEGE STUDENTSYou need to be enrolled as a full-time student in a two-year or four-year university or college in Massachusetts.
CONTINUING EDUCATION STUDENTSYou must plan to enroll in undergraduate classes at a two or four-year university, an accredited trade school, or a vocational school in Massachusetts.
You need to have a gap in education of two years or more as a non-student in your adult life. You also must be within two years of completing your educational goal.
Meet our 2021-2022 scholars
Avaughn Phillip, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Dorchester
Chiosna Bernadeau, Simmons University, Dorchester
Cristina Vasquez, University of Massachusetts Amherst, East Boston
Danny Nguyen, UMass Amherst, Dorchester
Esther Udoakang, Boston College, Dorchester
Gabriela Ramirez, Boston University, East Boston
Helen Nguyen, Simmons University, Mattapan
Jennifer Osayande, University of Massachusetts Amherst, South End
Khum Chit, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Roxbury
Kleyshie Pena, UMass Dartmouth, Dorchester
Mairelisa Alcantara Vasquez, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Roxbury
Mich Kurt Magny, Simmons University, Dorchester
Michael Ejim, Bentley University, Hyde Park
Nebiyat Eskndir, University of Massachusetts Amherst, South End
Nimo Mohamud, Wellesley College, Dorchester
Paola Ruiz, Tufts University, East Boston
Temitope Akitikori, Laboure College of Healthcare, Dorchester
Terrance McIntosh, University of Massachusetts Boston, Roslindale
Yunis Egal, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Dorchester
- They represent eight neighborhoods across the City;
- They are attending 12 different colleges and universities across the Commonwealth;
- On average, they have a financial need gap of $5,210 per year, as determined by our partners at uAspire;
- 100% identified as people of color;
- 26% were born outside the United States (68% identified as Black/African-American, 32% as Latino/a, 16% as Asian/Pacific Islander);
- 26% are the first in their family to attend college;
- 100% of seniors attended Boston Public Schools;
- 47% will be attending public colleges and universities.
Learn more about the process
Last year, we received more than 350 applications for the City of Boston Scholarship. This year, we will be awarding about 10 new scholarship recipients.
AWARD AMOUNT AND LENGTHNew college students receive $10,000 over the course of four years ($2,500 for each year). Continuing education students receive $5,000 over the course of two years ($2,500 for each year).
ELIGIBILITYYou will remain eligible as long as you remain in good academic standing with your school and still demonstrate financial need.
After reviewing your application, we will invite a group of semi-finalists to an interview in mid-May. We plan to notify selected applicants by the end of May.
CITY OF BOSTON SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEEThe committee makes the final decision on who is awarded scholarships. Over the last 20 years, we’ve given more than 1,000 residents financial support to further their education.
The fund relies on generous donations from individuals, organizations, and corporations. Contact us at COBscholarship@boston.gov, or send a check for the "City of Boston Scholarship Fund" to the address below:
City of Boston Scholarship Fund
Attn: Casey Brock-Wilson
Boston City Hall
1 City Hall Square, Room 608
Boston MA 02201
We also accept online donations via credit card or e-check:
How to apply
The City of Boston Scholarship Program is no longer accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year. The application closed on Wednesday, April 28th at 5:00 p.m.
Learn more about the application processBefore applying, you should be prepared to give us:
- a copy of your most recent transcript
- answers to three short questions
- one recommendation form from a teacher, guidance counselor, or community member (they will submit the form separately)
- your Student Aid Report, and
- your Student Award Letter from your college or university.
We created a simple, one-page recommendation form that tests for college and career readiness. This form is submitted separately from the rest of the application.
We replaced the essay with three short questions you need to answer on these topics:
- A question on financial circumstances
- A reflective question
- A question looking toward the future
We added an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculator for students not eligible for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
We defined what a continuing education student looks like. There’s now a separate section of the application for those students.
