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Attend tuition-free!

Thanks to The Remarkable Salem State Difference, a recently introduced institutional financial aid initiative, Massachusetts residents with household incomes of $75,000 or less and demonstrated financial need can attend Salem State without paying tuition or mandatory fees.

How do I apply?

• All admitted and current students who complete the  by May 1, 2026.

Who is it for and what's included?

• For first-time or transfer students pursuing their first bachelor's degree
• Covers only tuition and mandatory fees
• Does not include costs like housing, books, travel, or health insurance, but additional financial resources may be available to help

Who qualifies?

To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:

• Massachusetts resident for at least one year
• Household income of $75,000 or less
• Full-time undergraduate day student (12-18 credits)
• Demonstrated financial need

How does it work?

Salem State will cover the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students through a combination of federal, state and institutional aid, including:

• Federal Pell grants
• State programs like ,  (and Expansion)
• Institutional aid and scholarships from Salem State

No additional forms are required; eligibility is determined during the financial aid process.

We make college affordable for everyone! 98% of students receive financial aid.

It all starts by completing the . For families earning above this level, the expansion of federal and state programs, combined with our own institutional aid and scholarships, helps eligible Viking students pursue their bachelor’s degree with minimal to no tuition and fee costs.

How do I apply?

Be an admitted or current student and complete the  by May 1, 2026.

No additional forms are required; eligibility is determined during the financial aid process.

You'll save thousands on tuition!

Students from Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont qualify for reduced tuition through the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) Tuition Break Program, lowering their costs to near the in-state rate.

You can also be considered for additional financial aid and scholarships.

How do I apply?

Be an admitted or current student and complete the  by May 1, 2026.

No additional forms are required; eligibility is determined during the financial aid process.

You’ll automatically get $6,000 off tuition!

All out-of-state students outside New England receive a $6,000 tuition reduction, bringing their cost close to the in-state rate.

You can also be considered for additional financial aid and scholarships.

How do I apply?

Be an admitted or current student and complete the  by May 1, 2026.

No additional forms are required; eligibility is determined during the financial aid process.

You may qualify for in-state tuition and The Dream.US National Scholarship!

If you attended a Massachusetts high school for at least three years and graduated or earned a GED/HiSET, you may qualify for in-state tuition and fees.

Salem State also partners with TheDream.US to offer scholarships of up to $33,000 to help cover tuition and fees toward a bachelor’s degree. Awards are renewable based on continued eligibility. Some students may also receive an additional stipend of up to $6,000 to help pay for books, supplies and transportation.

Learn more about financial aid pathways for undocumented students.