UMass Amherst Financial Aid

About University of Massachusettes Amherst

The flagship school of the UMass system, UMass Amherst is a large research university located in a sort of college student mecca. The campus sprawls over 1,400+ acres (which is a lot of land) in the picturesque Western Mass. town of Amherst. Amherst is both a quintessential college town and a classic small New England town, with a quaint Main Street, but it's also home to thousands of college students and super-liberal types. The town is assuredly awesome, and the school is much the same way. Just over 31,000 undergrads live the college life on and around campus, a number that's matched with an 18:1 student to faculty ratio, so whether it comes to pursuing obscure academic interests or being a social butterfly, you'll never be at a loss for resources or new people to meet.

Budgeting and UMass Amherst Financial Aid

College costs can really add up, and we're talking about the costs that come after the huge, big-ticket items - you know, the ones like tuition, room and board, that stuff. While the biggies get all the attention, smaller but still significant costs can do a lot to derail a budget. An unexpected $800 expense on textbooks and/or a surprise $300 spent on meals out (and other things) over the course of a semester can really blindside a personal budget. You'll be making trips to the Route 9 Diner and Antonio's for sure, and probably a trip or two to Amherst Brewing Co. (awesome). Late night delivery orders from Wings Over Amherst usually happen too. Be prepared.

Applying for UMass Amherst Financial Aid

It's easy: we'll boil it down for you. Talk to the UMass Amherst financial aid office and ask if they'll give you any money (i.e. if you're eligible for grants or scholarships). Then ask if they think you'll need to take out a loan. From there, file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Done. Easy, right?

UMass Amherst Financial Aid Packages

Standard fare here again: grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and student loans make up UMass Amherst financial aid packages. For some students, this is enough, but for the overwhelming majority, federal loans are needed to supplement the UMass Amherst financial aid package they receive. A small chunk of students will need even more funding, at which point private student loans become a viable option, but only if all other possible sources of aid were exhausted. If a private loan is looking like the way to go for last-step funding for college, use our student loan comparison tool above to search, compare, and apply for the private student loan that's right for you.