Free Tuition and Mandatory Fees for Families Earning $125,000 or less
Starting in the fall 2025 semester, the Bridgewater Commitment will cover the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees for in-state students from families earning $125,000 or less.
The Bridgewater Commitment provides financial support to middle- and low-income families so students can pursue the benefits of an excellent four-year degree provided by one of America’s Best Colleges, as ranked by The Wall Street Journal, without being burdened by the costs of in-state tuition and mandatory fees.
Eligibility
- Massachusetts resident
- Household income of $125,000 or less
- Full-time undergraduate student
- Completed FAFSA
- Starts fall 2025
Keeps higher education affordable
The Bridgewater Commitment keeps higher education affordable for more Massachusetts residents.
The Bridgewater Commitment covers mandatory tuition and fee costs for undergraduate matriculated degree seeking students who plan on enrolling full-time (12-17 credits). To be eligible for the BSU Commitment, students and families complete the FAFSA application and reside in the state of Massachusetts for at least two years. There are no additional forms a student must complete; the university will determine eligibility though the financial aid award offers.
The Bridgewater Commitment is funded by a combination of federal (including Pell grants), state (including Mass Grant Plus), Bridgewater State University and private resources.
Bridgewater Commitment Coverage
- Covers tuition and mandatory fees associated with enrollment for Massachusetts families earning $125,000 or less as verified by the FAFSA (families must complete the FAFSA to be considered).
- Additional costs associated with attending BSU such as, living on campus, books and travel are not considered part of the Bridgewater Commitment. However, the university will also consider students for additional resources to assist with offsetting the cost of attendance.
- Covers full-time undergraduate students.
- The program does not cover part-time or graduate students.
- The program does not cover out-of-state or international students who automatically receive a $5,000 Horace Mann Scholarship.
- A student is beginning or continuing their first bachelor's degree.
- Undergraduate students transferring to BSU beginning in fall 2025 will be eligible for the Bridgewater Commitment if all financial aid criteria are met.
frequently asked questions
Accordion Content
Once admitted to BSU through the Admissions Office, you and your family will need to complete the FAFSA application for the academic year you are planning on attending. It’s that simple. No other paperwork is required.
Yes, as long as you are enrolled in the Fall 2025 semester and are a first time full-time undergraduate student in good academic standing.
BSU is committed to offering students and families an affordable education. We expect the Bridgewater Commitment program to continue assuming no significant reductions to federal and state financial aid funding.
The Bridgewater Commitment covers mandatory tuition and fees for in-state students of families earning $125,000 or less. The Financial Aid Office will review all resources of aid/scholarship the student is eligible to receive and apply the funding accordingly.
Mandatory fees include student support fee, technology fee and capital fee.
Yes. Mandatory fees are those that are charged to all students. Some students are charged additional course fees directly related to their program of study or specific courses they are taking. These fees, which do not apply to all students, are not covered by the Bridgewater Commitment.
This program is limited to families earning no more than $125,000 in the tax year 2024. However, families earning more than $125,000 may still qualify for other forms of assistance.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@smxjjl.com
