BCC Foundation Scholarships

Returning/graduating students (This group includes current students who will be returning to BCC in the fall and graduating students who will be moving on to a four-year school): Scholarships are available to all returning BCC students enrolled in a degree or certificate program, regardless of FASA/MASFA eligibility and citizenship status, who have maintained at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and are making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). However, students should be aware that the majority of awards require at minimum, a 2.75 GPA and demonstrated financial need. There are also a limited number of scholarships available to students graduating and moving on in pursuit of a bachelor's degree, the majority of which are program specific.

New students*: New/incoming students are eligible to apply for scholarships once they have applied to BCC and have been accepted into a degree or certificate program. There is no GPA requirement for students entering BCC.

High school students: Freshman, sophomore and junior, high school students who are currently taking classes at BCC but, who have not yet graduated from high school, are not eligible to apply for BCC Foundation Scholarships. Seniors with plans to attend BCC in the fall or spring semester after graduation are encouraged by The BCC Foundation to apply for awards as a new/incoming student.

**If you are returning to BCC after a lengthy absence, more than two years, and remain in good academic standing, please apply as a new/incoming student.

Yes! MassEducate and MassReconnect, the two largest programs that are part of the free college initiative, are last dollar programs. This means they will pay for tuition, fees and sometimes books for students who meet MA residency requirements only after all other aid is awarded. In some cases, scholarships may provide more funding than last dollar programs would including support in purchasing books and supplies in excess of the state program allowances.

Yes! All students regardless of status can apply for scholarships using our online application.

Scholarships are available to BCC students enrolled in a degree or certificate program, regardless of FASA/MASFA eligibility and citizenship status, who have maintained at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and are making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). However, students should be aware that the majority of awards require at minimum, a 2.75 GPA and demonstrated financial need. There are also a limited number of scholarships available to students graduating and moving on in pursuit of a Bachelor's Degree, the majority of which are program specific.

Some students who are not U.S. citizens or hold DACA status may be eligible to complete the MASFA, In August 2023, Massachusetts passed a Tuition Equity Law that created a pathway allowing all students, namely undocumented students, to access state higher education benefits through the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA).

These benefits include in-state tuition at Massachusetts public institutions, and eligibility for state financial aid programs at public and private higher education institutions in Massachusetts.

Scholarship applications are accepted between Feb. 5, 2025 and March 12, 2025 for all current BCC students; these include returning students, transfer/graduating students and those currently enrolled who have earned less than 12 credits. Qualified new/incoming students will complete their applications beginning Feb. 5, 2025 and are accepted on a rolling basis until Dec. 1, 2025 or until funding has been exhausted, whichever is first.

*If you are returning to BCC after a lengthy absence of more than two years, please apply as a new/incoming student.

Do not wait until the last minute to complete and submit your application! As you complete your application you may be matched to scholarships that require answering more questions or require you to write an additional short essay.

You need to access and complete the online scholarship application. Your log in and password are your student ID (s012345) and the same password you use to log-into your MyBCC account.

The Foundation does not distribute paper applications and will only accept your application online. By submitting this application, you will have an opportunity to be considered for all possible BCC Foundation scholarships.

The online application requires students to: (1) Provide a brief biography (2) returning students will answer questions about their BCC experience so far. All applicants should be prepared to provide a (3) current transcript and (4) obtain a reference from a faculty member, advisor or employer.

In some cases, after you submit your general and scholarship applications, you will be invited to apply for additional opportunities by answering supplemental questions. Do not skip the additional questions! By doing so you could decrease your chances of receiving an award.

Read More About How to Apply for a Scholarship or attend one of the scholarship workshops listed below.

Scholarship workshops: in person in the One Stop - Field Building (TEAMS by request)

Students are invited to learn about the BCC Foundation (BCCF) Scholarship Program. During this session you will have an opportunity to log into and review the BCCF Scholarship Application for returning students. Students will also be encouraged to ask questions and staff will be happy share their tips for applying for awards both through the Foundation and outside of BCC If you have one, please bring your lap-top or BCC computers will be available to use during this session.

• Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, 11 – 11:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, 9 – 9:30 a.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, 3:30 – 4 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, 4 – 4:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2025, 12:30 – 1 p.m.
• Monday, March 3, 2025, 12:30 – 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 8:30 – 9 a.m.

Current students should use their active MyBCC login credentials.

New/incoming students must first apply for admission and be accepted to BCC; this includes high-school students currently taking classes at BCC but who have not yet matriculated into a program. Contact the Admissions office at onestop@berkshirecc.edu or 413-499-4660 if you have not yet been issued a MyBCC login.

Students will not be able to access the scholarship application until after you have set up and logged in your myBCC account for the first time. For instructions on how to log in visit MyBCC Portal

The BCC Writing Center, located on the main campus in Melville Hall, would be happy to help you with your biography essay.

For more information about the campus Writing Center and their hours, visit the Writing Center page.

You should select a faculty member, employer, co-worker, volunteer supervisor or someone similar who knows you well and can attest to the quality of your academic or professional work, your attitude and your work ethic. It would be wise to ask your reference in advance if they are an appropriate choice, i.e. willing to provide the reference/will complete the reference by the deadline.

Reference requests are emailed to the person you select by our scholarship platform (BAM). Please alert them of this. Allow up to 24 hours for BAM to send the request and if they do not receive the email ask them first to check their SPAM folder. Still not there? Email scholarships@berkshirecc.edu or call 413-236-1634 for further assistance.

Written references or those submitted outside of our online scholarship portal will not be considered as part of your application.

Notice: For your applications to be considered complete, recommendations must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on March 12, 2025 for all current BCC students including, returning students, transfer/graduating students and those currently enrolled who have earned less than 12 credits. Qualified new/incoming students must have recommendations submitted by 11:59 p.m. April 17, 2025 in order to receive notice prior to local high school award nights, otherwise recommendations are accepted for entering students until scholarship funds have been exhausted.

Current and returning students:

Log into your MyBCC account then click through the following links.

1. Click the "Visit MyBCC" button
2. Scroll through your tiles to Academics
3. Click "Unofficial Transcript"
4. Verify "UG undergraduate" is selected and click submit
5. Hold your "CTRL" and "P" button down
6. In the print box that appears select, "Microsoft Print to PDF"
7. Save the PDF file as follows, lastname_firstname_2024
8. Upload the newly created PDF to your scholarship application

Incoming students: If you are new to BCC in the fall, the application requires your high school transcript. (1)Check with your high school guidance office so they can provide you with the correct e-mail address of the person who can upload your transcript to the scholarship portal. (2)Type their name in the "Reference Name" field and their e-mail in the "Reference E-Mail field" as directed. NOTE: This is not a request for a reference or recommendation (that is a separate section of the application). If you need assistance, contact scholarships@berkshirecc.edu or call 413-236-1634.

Yes, as you fill out your application you will be matched to scholarships based on your answers to the questions presented. There are two parts to your application. First, (1) The General Application, which once submitted will reveal the (2) second part of the application under the "Application Progress" sidebar on the left of your screen (2) Complete either the "Scholarship Application for Entering Students" or "Scholarship Application for Current and Graduating Students as appropriate. (3) Make sure you have completed both sections of the application! If you fail to do so your application will be considered incomplete and you will not be considered for awards during this application cycle. (4) In some cases, after you complete both sections of the application, you will be invited to apply for additional opportunities by answering supplemental questions. Do not skip additional questions! By doing so you could decrease your chances of receiving an award.

Visit the BCC financial aid page to browse additional ways to help pay for college or attend one of the scheduled one campus scholarship workshops below.

No, but it would be wise to do so. You will not be considered for need-based scholarships unless your FASFA or MASFA is completed. The exception are those students who have verified that are ineligible for FASFA or MASFA, students should note their ineligibility on their application as appropriate. In most cases we are working off of your FAFSA/MASFA from the previous academic year.

If your financial circumstances have changed please note this on your application as appropriate.

All scholarships, unless otherwise noted, require that you take a minimum of six credits per semester.

(1) If you drop below six credits during the semester your scholarship will be prorated against your remaining credits. (2) If you drop or fail all classes in a semester you will forfeit your scholarship and any funding received for the semester will revert back to the Foundation. (3) If you fail a class and have made every effort to pass, i.e. regular tutoring. The Scholarship Coordinator may appeal to the Scholarship Committee to allow you to keep your award(s). However, if the appeal is denied you will forfeit the semester award.

In all cases prorating or forfeit may result in a bill from The College which will be subject to late or collections fees as described by BCC.

The dollar values of our scholarship awards vary and are listed with each scholarship in the online directory. They range from $250 to full tuition and fees. BCC Foundation Scholarships can be used to pay tuition, fees and books and sometimes other related educational expenses. For example, purchasing a computer. Last year the average award was $1,500.

Yes. A new scholarship application is used to evaluate you for scholarships each year. BCC students may be awarded scholarships toward 69 attempted credits. This typically translates into no more than three years for a full-time student or possibly five or six years for a part-time student. Please note that the awards are proportionate to the amount of enrolled credits in any given year.

If you started an application prior to the first date scholarship awards were open you will also need to resubmit the application.

You must be enrolled or accepted into a degree or certificate program at BCC in order to apply for and receive awards.

Current BCC students and those graduating this Spring will be notified in mid-May. You will need to monitor your MyBCC email to see if you have been awarded a scholarship.

If you are awarded a scholarship, a congratulatory email will be sent to you stating the name and amount of the scholarship. You will also have your name printed in the program and be invited to participate in Awards Night at BCC**. The ceremony is currently scheduled for Thursday, May 29, 2025, this will be an evening event. Attendance and/or participation is appreciated but not required to receive your scholarship(s).

New/incoming students will start being notified beginning in the last week of May and monthly thereafter. You will need to monitor your MyBCC email to see if you have been awarded a scholarship.

**Please note, when you complete your scholarship application you will be asked how and in what manner the BCC Foundation may print your name or other information noted in your application, i.e. as part of an awards celebration, on the BCC website or other social media platforms, and/or in a communication to the donor of your potential awards or not at all.

As a scholarship recipient, you're required to write a thank-you letter to the donor(s) of your scholarship before your funds are disbursed or put on your account. If you are awarded a scholarship, you will receive instructions for submitting a digital thank-you letter, which will be forwarded to the donor(s) or sponsor(s) of your scholarship. All thank you letters will be typed and submitted via BCC's scholarship portal.

Visit our Thank You Tips Guide (PDF) for tips on writing a thank-you letter.

If you are returning to BCC for the 2025/26 academic year, your scholarship will be added on your student account towards tuition, fees, and/or books. If you are graduating and transferring to another institution, you will notify us about your transfer school and we will forward the funds there. Most scholarships for students at BCC are good for one year and can be applied to the, Fall, Spring and, if funds remain the summer semester following Spring.

Scholarships funds are typically split evenly between the Fall and Spring semesters with any remaining funds made available for the summer semester following Spring. While The Foundation awards your scholarship(s) the final disbursement of funds will be determined by the BCC Financial Aid Office. Students who receive scholarships are strongly encouraged by the Foundation to go over all tuition aid and scholarships with a financial aid advisor even if you have not filled out or were not eligible for FASFA or MASFA.

Contact the financial aid office at onestop@berkshirecc.edu or 413-499-4660, or visit the OneStop located on the first floor of the Field Admiration Building. They are there to help you!

The BCC Foundation has limited funds available through its emergency grant program. Awards typically range from $25 - $1,000 and are primarily used to solve a one-time temporary problem. For example, purchasing a semester bus pass, assistance with late rent or mortgage payments, unexpected utility or medical bills, or even a computer. These awards are made independently of scholarships and financial aid and are typically paid directly to the source of the emergency. Emergency grants can only be awarded once per semester.

To be considered students must meet the following criteria:

• Applicants must be students who are enrolled in a degree or certificate program.
• Applicants must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and enrolled at least ½ time (6 credits).
• Unless requesting aid to purchase a computer or bus pass you must provide documentation of your emergency for example, a copy or your overdue rent/mortgage bill, estimate for car repair, overdue childcare fees or utility bills. Either a PDF of your bill or a clear photograph taken with your phone is acceptable.
• If you haven't already and are eligible, complete the FASA/MASFA for the current academic year!

Please note: Assistance with daily expenses due to reduced work capacity because of academic workload, vehicle repairs (brakes, tires, suspension (unless damaged by a road hazard or in an accident), fuel for cars, and/or known program expenses, such as licensing fees, are not considered eligible expenses for emergency aid.

For questions or to find out if you qualify for emergency assistance please contact the Student Financial Services Office at onestop@berkshirecc.edu or 413-499-4660.

Students must first contact the Student Financial Services Office at onestop@berkshirecc.edu or 413-499-4660 to verify eligibility and then complete the BCC Foundation emergency funding application.

Applications are reviewed at minimum weekly by the Student Emergency Funding Committee (SEFC). Once a decision has been made a communication will be sent to your BCC student email account. If you are granted funding you may be required to write a thank you letter to the Foundation. Once this letter is received a check will be provided to you, typically made out to the source of your emergency. Checks are issued within 10-14 days of your award notification.