Massachusetts No Interest Loan

/Home/Student Loan Information by State/Massachusetts Student Loans

Massachusetts No Interest Loan

The Massachusetts No Interest Loan (NIL) program was created to provide eligible, needy Massachusetts residents attending post-secondary educational institutions in Massachusetts with a state-funded loan. The NIL program offers zero interest loans to assist students in meeting educational costs. Students have a period of ten (10) years to repay their NIL loans.

Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for a Massachusetts No Interest Loan, a student must:
Be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts for one year prior to the start of the academic year for which the loan is awarded.
Be a United States citizen or eligible non citizen.
Be enrolled full time (at least 12 credits or its equivalent).
Be enrolled in a certificate, associate or bachelors degree program.
Not have received a prior bachelors degree or its equivalent.
Be in compliance with Selective Service Registration Requirements.
Not be in default of any federal or state loans or owe a refund for any previous financial aid received.
Demonstrate financial aid need as determined by the Federal Methodology need analysis criteria.
Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with institutional and federal standards.

Eligible Institutions
An eligible institution is defined as a state approved public, private, independent, for profit or nonprofit, issuing associate and/or bachelor degrees or certificate programs. The institution must be located in Massachusetts, and have signed a Participation Agreement with the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance. The institution must also be eligible to participate in Federal Title IV programs and fully accredited.

Award Amounts
The minimum initial NIL award a student can receive is $1,000, with a maximum award amount of $4,000 per academic year. NIL award amounts are determined according to financial need. A NIL eligible student has a lifetime borrowing limit of $20,000.

How Do I Apply?
Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student aid (FAFSA) to the Federal Central Processor after January 1st. Contact your financial aid office for additional application requirements and deadlines. Students who are awarded a NIL loan are ultimately required to sign a promissory note agreeing to all NIL terms and conditions, prior to disbursement of funds. You can also file your FAFSA electronically.

For More Information
Contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at 617-727-9420.