State Employees’ Tuition Remission

State employees and their dependents who elect to take courses at Worcester State University may have some or all of their tuition waived. Documentation of eligibility should be submitted to the Bursar’s Office. Eligible persons should contact the Personnel Office at their place of employment for further details.

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Benefits Program

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Benefits Program may provide assistance to eligible students. Contact the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission for further information.

TEACH Grant

The TEACH Grant Program provides grants to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching. As a condition for receiving a TEACH Grant, students must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve in which they agree to (among other requirements) teach:

• in a high-need field; 
• at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families; and 
• for at least four complete academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment in) the course of study for which the grant was received

Eligible graduate programs are English as a Second Language, Reading Specialist, and Moderate Disabilities.

If students do not meet the requirements of the service obligation, all TEACH Grants received will be converted to Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Students must repay these loans in full, with interest.

Veterans’ Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Massachusetts State Approving Agency has approved Worcester State University for the purpose of certifying Veterans Educational Benefits. Questions concerning veteran’s benefits should be directed to the Office of the Registrar.

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan is a federal unsubsidized loan program whereby the federal government makes long term, low interest loans to graduate students enrolled at least half-time (three credits per semester for graduate students). Students must have completed the FAFSA process before their Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan will be processed. Graduate limits are up to $20,500 per year limited to the student’s cost of attendance.

Generally, funds for graduate students are limited to the Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan. Applicants who are taking courses that are pre-requisites for a graduate degree may be eligible for Direct Loan funds for up to one year.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are available for matriculated, degree-seeking, graduate students who are not enrolled in accelerated online programs. For information and an application, call the Graduate Office at 508-929-8127 or visit www.worcester.edu/graduate-assistantships/.