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 by the March 1 priority deadline
- 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 by the March 1 priority deadline 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 by the March 1 priority deadline 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.
- If the FAFSA was completed after March 1, you can submit an appeal to the financial aid office in writing at finaid@bridgew.edu.
- 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 by the March 1 priority deadline. It’s that simple. No other paperwork is required.
If the FAFSA was completed after March 1, you can submit an appeal to the financial aid office in writing at finaid@bridgew.edu.
Yes, beginning in fall 2025, BSU students who meet all of the following eligibility criteria:
- Upperclassmen who were admitted into the traditional undergraduate day program
- Enrolled in 12 credits or more
- Filed the 2025-2026 FAFSA application by the March 1, 2025 priority deadline
- If the FAFSA was completed after March 1, you can submit an appeal to the financial aid office in writing at finaid@bridgew.edu.
- Eligible for federal and MA state need based Title IV aid
- In good academic standing
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.
Eligible students will be notified of their status through their financial aid award letter.
Mandatory fees that are part of the commitment will appear on your student bill as:
- student fees
- student support fee
- technology fee
- capital fee
Yes. The student is responsible for covering housing, meal plans, books, health insurance, parking decals and other non-mandatory fees. Some students are charged additional course fees directly related to their program of study or specific courses they are taking, such as online course fees, art supply fees, aviation fees, etc. Fees that do not apply to all students are not covered by the Bridgewater Commitment.
All students will receive an eBill even if they qualify for the BSU commitment. If you are eligible for the BSU Commitment, 100% of the tuition and mandatory fees billed to your student account will be covered by a combination of federal, state, institutional and private resources. The student is responsible for covering housing, meal plans, books, health insurance and other non-mandatory fees.
On your student eBill statement, you will see itemized charges and itemized credits/anticipated credits.
The BSU Commitment does not cover the summer and winter sessions.
Students enrolled in a study abroad program, study tour or taking courses at another institution are not eligible for the BSU Commitment.
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.
Yes. The BSU commitment is based on federal, state, institutional and private resources, so a withdrawal will, in fact, directly impact these awards, creating award cancellations/adjustments, which would create a billable student balance.
Your financial aid is contingent upon continued enrollment and attendance in each class upon which your financial aid eligibility was calculated. If you drop or withdraw from any class before completion, your financial aid eligibility may decrease, and some or all the financial aid awarded to you may be revoked.
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.
The BSU Commitment is available to qualifying Massachusetts residents who physically reside in Massachusetts for at least one year, as of the start of the enrolled term, with an intent to remain in Massachusetts as defined by the State of Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE).
Students must be enrolled in Fall 2025. Students who begin in the Spring 2026 semester will not receive the BSU Commitment, as you must be enrolled full-time in the Fall 2025 semester.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@bridgew.edu
