The Massachusetts Guarantee Program
Hampshire College and the Massachusetts Guarantee Program
Who qualifies for the Massachusetts Guarantee
The Massachusetts Guarantee Program ensures acceptance to Hampshire College and other participating institutions for students who meet this criteria.
Credits earned toward graduating with your associate degree will automatically apply toward a Hampshire degree as a credit block. Students in the Massachusetts Guarantee Program will enter as third-year students and engage in a process during their first semester at Hampshire that involves meeting with faculty to design the rest of their academic experience at Hampshire. Learn more about Hampshire's unique curriculum here.
Hampshire College and the Massachusetts Guarantee Scholarships:
Hampshire College is a member of the Massachusetts Guarantee. The Massachusetts Guarantee is a partnership between Massachusetts community colleges and participating four-year colleges and universities. The Massachusetts Guarantee ensures acceptance, to Hampshire College and other participating institutions, for students who hold an associate degree from a Massachusetts community college, who have met a minimum GPA requirement of 2.50.
Students who transfer to Hampshire College via the Massachusetts Guarantee will be offered a merit scholarship upon acceptance – ranging from $27,000 to $35,000 per year. Merit Scholarships are renewable each year a student attends Hampshire, as long as the student maintains satisfactory academic progress and continuous full-time enrollment. These scholarships will be renewable for up to six semesters (three academic years).
In addition to the merit awards noted above, Massachusetts Guarantee students will be eligible for one of two additional merit scholarships:
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Massachusetts Guarantee Achievement Award: A $2,000 award to recognize students who have completed their associate degree at a Massachusetts community college with a combined academic grade point average above a 3.00.
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Massachusetts Guarantee Excellence Award: A $4,000 award to recognize students who have completed their associate degree at a Massachusetts community college with a combined academic grade point average above a 3.50.
These awards are renewable for up to six semesters and will be granted in addition to other Hampshire College merit scholarship awards.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship for Transfer Students
Massachusetts Guarantee students who have received the academic distinction and are members of Phi Theta Kappa will be awarded a Phi Theta Kappa merit scholarship of $35,000. This award recognizes Phi Theta Kappa students for their outstanding leadership and demonstrated academic excellence at their prior institution. The Phi Theta Kappa award is in lieu of Hampshire academic merit aid, but the Massachusetts Guarantee awards, noted above, will be added on top of the Phi Theta Kappa Award.
Additionally, students may apply for need-based financial aid. Hampshire’s Financial Aid Office will determine a student’s eligibility for federal and state financial assistance based on the FAFSA. Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents will be required to submit a CSS Profile, instead of the FAFSA, in order to apply for need-based aid. More information on tuition and financial aid can be found here.
To apply under the Massachusetts Guarantee, please submit the following materials:
- EITHER a completed Common Application; or this form (please note: this form is only for Massachusetts Guarantee students")
- All transcripts from colleges attended
- Transfer Mid-Term Report (if currently enrolled)
- Final high school transcript
Students applying under the Massachusetts Guarantee are not required to submit a supplemental proposed program of study or letter of recommendation. Learn more about transfer application requirements here.
Application & Financial Aid Deadlines
Spring |
Deadline | Notification |
| Domestic Transfer Students | November 1 | December 1 |
| International Transfer Students | November 1 |
November 10 |
Fall |
Deadline | Notification |
| Domestic Transfer Students | March 15 | April 15 |
| International Transfer Students | March 15 |
April 15 |
Benefits of the Massachusetts Guarantee Include:
- No application fee
- No admission essay requirement
- Guaranteed admission with a 2.50 GPA
- Guaranteed block transfer of all associate degree credits you have earned
- Automatic third-year standing when you enroll at Hampshire
- Additional merit scholarships for students with a completed associate degree
- Merit scholarships are renewable for up to six semesters
Massachusetts Community College Partners
- Berkshire
- Bristol
- Bunker Hill
- Cape Cod
- Greenfield
- Holyoke
- Massachusetts Bay
- Massasoit
- Middlesex
- Mount Wachusett
- North Shore
- Northern Essex
- Quinsigamond
- Roxbury
- Springfield Technical