John and Abigail Adams Scholarship

Overview

The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship provides a tuition credit for up to eight semesters of undergraduate education at a Massachusetts state college or university. The scholarship covers tuition only; fees and room and board are not included. The scholarship must be used within six years of a student's high school graduation.

Eligibility to earn a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship is based on students' first-time scores on high school MCAS tests.

Notification letters are provided to schools and districts electronically, and they are responsible for distributing letters to students and their families. Letters are available in English as well as translated templates in the state's 15 highest-frequency first language of English learners. See Scholarship Award Notification Letters for details.

In order to receive the scholarship, students must notify the financial aid office of the Massachusetts public college or university to which they have been accepted and complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Questions about why a student did not receive a scholarship or other questions about eligibility should be directed to the Office of Student Assessment Services at mcas@mass.gov .

MCAS Requirements for Scholarship Eligibility

Additional Criteria to Receive the Adams Scholarship

Scholarship Award Notification Letters

Massachusetts State Colleges and Universities that Accept the Adams Scholarship

Last Updated: December 10, 2025