Financial Aid & Foundation Scholarships

Financial aid programs available at Bristol Community College.

A comprehensive list of programs and guidelines is available here.

Federal and State Grants

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

Federal Teach Grant

Massachusetts Agnes Lindsay Scholarship

Massachusetts Christian Herter Scholarship

Massachusetts Early Childhood Education Grant

Massachusetts Educational Rewards Grant

Massachusetts Foster Child Grant

Massachusetts Furcolo Grant

Massachusetts Gear-Up Grant

MassGrant

Massachusetts High Demand Scholarship

Massachusetts John and Abigail Adams Scholarship

Massachusetts Need-Based Tuition Waiver

Massachusetts Part-time Grant

Massachusetts Paraprofessional Grant

Massachusetts Public Service Grant

Massachusetts Stanley Koplic Waiver

Rhode Island Challenge Grant

Rhode Island Promise Grant

Rhode Island State Scholarship

Loans

Federal Direct Student and Parent Loan

Alternative (Private) Loans

Work

Federal Work Study

Student Employment Program

Other

Institutional Grants

Foundation Grant

For more information

If you have questions about financial aid, contact the Financial Aid office at 508.678.2811, ext. 2515.

Financial Aid

Bristol Community College receives some of its funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is subsidized by state tax revenues. This means that students pay only a portion of the total cost of a BCC education.

Paying your way

The vision of the Financial Aid office is “to provide students with the most optimal financial aid packages, excellent customer service, and access to essential tools and resources for financial literacy.” The staff is available to assist with completing applications for financial aid, determining level of need, and offering financial aid to meet educational expenses. 

The Financial Aid office provides assistance and counseling regarding the financial aid application, evaluation, and determination of need. Advisors and counselors are always available via email. Walk-in hours and appointments are available weekly. 

Financial aid awards may include grants, loans, and work. The Financial Aid office uses federal and state regulations to estimate a fair student and family contribution and determine financial need.

All those forms confuse me. Where can I get help filing the right ones?

The Financial Aid office provides students and their families with information and assistance thorughout the Financial Aid application process. The FAFSA is required from all students who would like to receive federal and/or state financial aid. Additional documentation may be requested. The FAFSA can be filed online through the Federal Student Aid. Contact the Fall River, New Bedford, or Attleboro locations for information on walk-in counseling or appointments. The financial aid process can be complex and take time; stay in touch with the Financial Aid office and watch your AccessBCC account for updates.  

What can I do to speed up the process?

Completing the FAFSA on the Web is the best option. You will get your Student Aid Report sooner than with the paper version.  

Is there a deadline for applying for financial aid?

You may apply for aid anytime, but we give priority to students who complete their financial aid file by May 1. Some Rhode Island grant deadlines are March 1. Some Massachusetts grants have a May 1 deadline.

Once I have received financial aid, is it guaranteed for my whole college career?

You must apply for financial aid every year you need it, but every time you demonstrate financial need, we will work with you and your family to help meet your education-related expenses.

Are there any special requirements?

Assistance is available to a student who demonstrates financial need, is a citizen, national, or permanent resident of the U.S., meets Selective Service requirements, maintains satisfactory progress towards an eligible degree or certificate program, does not owe a refund to a federal or state grant program, is not in default on a federal or state education loan, and meets criteria in specific programs. Students in the U.S. on F1, F2, J1, or J2 student visas are not eligible for assistance.

For more information visit the federal student aid website.  

Student rights and responsibilities

The College and the Financial Aid office reserve the right to determine the type, amount, and/or revision of financial aid. Awards are contingent upon the availability of funding, the student’s course load, and regulations governing funds.

Financial aid may be denied or cancelled if a student does not continue to meet eligibility requirements at any time during the academic year. If a student fails to meet satisfactory progress standards or is in default on Title IV or state grant or loan funds, financial aid will be denied or cancelled.

Bristol Community College Foundation Scholarship and Loan Programs

Scholarships funded through the Bristol Foundation and Alumni Association range in value from $100 to $2,000. To apply for a Bristol Foundation Scholarship visit https://bristolcc.academicworks.com/.  The website runs from early March through the last week of June. Applicants are notified of award decisions by the start of the fall semester. If tuition and fees will be waived by the College, you are not eligible to apply for and receive a Foundation Scholarship through this scholarship process. Listed below are the endowed funds.

Endowed Fund Eligibility

Edward Adaskin Family Scholarship

Student who is a resident of Fall River, Swansea, Westport, or Freetown Massachusetts, and demonstrates financial need

Altrusa Club/Camilla C. Pickering Memorial Scholarship

Student who is a resident of Bristol County, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrates volunteer community service

Argy Scholarship

Full-time student majoring in engineering, science or health science who demonstrates financial need, scholastic merit, with a minimum GPA of 3.0

Leonard and Ruth Baker Scholarship

Full-time student enrolled in Business Administration, who has completed 24 credit hours, with a minimum GPA of 3.0, and financial need

BayCoast Bank Scholarship

Student enrolled in a business-related major, demonstrated financial need, from the Greater Fall River area, minimum 3.0 GPA; must be enrolled in at least 6 credits

BFI Waste Systems Scholarship

BFI employee, spouse, child or grandchild of employee; if no BFI applicant by 5/1, open to Fall River, Somerset, Swansea or Westport resident, environmental technology, GPA 3.0, financial need

BJ Voss Memorial Scholarship

Providing annually a scholarship to a Criminal Justice student enrolled at Bristol Community College who demonstrates financial need.

H. M. Booth Theatre Scholarship

Theatre student

Borden-Remington Scholarship

Student in top 30% of class who demonstrates financial need.  Preference is given to child of Borden-Remington employee 

Michael K. Bosi Memorial Scholarship 

Student matriculating in journalism or communications who demonstrates scholastic merit. Preference will be given to BMC Durfee alumnus. Special application requires submission of work samples

Zelma Braga Scholarship

General requirements, full or part-time student

Gerald M. Brown Scholarship

Greater Fall River resident, financial need, GPA 3.0

Ruth P. Brown Scholarship

Full or part-time student in the Business Program.  Preference given to female student

Kenneth M. Candeias Scholarship

To a graduating student who displays outstanding leadership and academic achievement.

Prof. C. John Capone P.E. Memorial Scholarship

Student matriculating into the engineering or environmental technology program, minimum six credits per semester, financial need and scholastic merit

Chef John J. Caressimo Scholarship

Second year student matriculating in culinary arts

John A. and Eileen F. Carr and Kathryn V. Whalen Scholarship

Nursing or elementary education student with financial need

Donna Castro RN Nursing Scholarship

Nursing student with preference given to a student with prior experience working in the health care field

Judith B. Chace Memorial Scholarship

Chace employee, spouse, child or grandchild; if no successful applicant by 5/1, open to Tiverton resident or graduate of Tiverton High

Francis J. Colaneri Scholarship

Student with financial need enrolled in the engineering program with preference given to students residing in Bristol County, MA or Rhode Island

Pamela Colaneri Dental Hygiene Scholarship

Second year Dental Hygiene student who demonstrates academic merit and financial need

Christopher M. Cordeiro Memorial Scholarship

Student taking credit or non-credit course who demonstrates financial need, with minimum GPA of 3.0

James D. Crosson Scholarship

Second year student in the Criminal Justice Program who is from the greater Fall River area, son or daughter of a policeman if possible and demonstrates scholastic merit

Charles E. Crowshaw, Jr. Memorial Award

This award is given annually to a returning Criminal Justice student for academic excellence and leadership ability

Michael T. Davis Memorial Scholarship

Second year student matriculating in Journalism communications at BCC with the intent to pursue a career in journalism who has a minimum GPA of 3.0

Dr. and Mrs. Paul P. Dunn Scholarship

Student matriculating in a health science program, financial need, minimum GPA 3.0

Johanna Duponte Occupational Therapy Assistant Scholarship

Student matriculating in OTA program, having completed first year with minimum GPA of 2.75who demonstrates professionalism, collegiality, and commitment to OTA profession

Fall River Country Club Scholarship

Employee of Fall River Country Club; if no applicant, a culinary arts student

Fall River Opportunity Fund

Fall River resident who demonstrates financial need

J.B. Fernandes Memorial Trust I Scholarship

Portuguese-American student who demonstrates financial need

Paul Fletcher Scholarship

Student matriculating into the arts/humanities field, taking a minimum of 6 credits per semester, financial need, scholastic merit, GPA 3.0

John G. Fonseca Memorial Scholarship

Non-traditional student, minimum GPA of 3.5, financial need

Sally Gabb Vision Scholarship

Sally S. Gabb was a lifelong educator and activist, a person who had a generous, creative spirit and a vision of social justice for all.  She firmly believed that justice comes through the route of education.   In her fifteen years at BCC, Sally worked with many students to help them live the vision they had of their own best futures. Sally’s work with students entering the college at developmental-levels was close to her heart, therefore, those eligible for this scholarship must be a student who is or has been enrolled in at least two developmental-level courses.

Kathy Torpey Garganta Attleboro Scholarship

Scholastic Merit and minimum GPA of 3.0. Student must have completed a minimum of 12 credits at BCC Attleboro. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a BCC Attleboro student who demonstrates financial need.

Kevin J. Garganta Human Services Scholarship

Student matriculating in Human Services, minimum of 30 credits who demonstrates financial need and has a minimum GPA of 2.5

Officer Thomas J. Giunta Memorial Scholarship

Child/grandchild of active or retired Fall River police officer, financial need; if no successful applicant, open to criminal justice student

Globe Manufacturing Scholarship

Greater Fall River resident, financial need and scholastic merit

Max and Edith Gold Scholarship

Fall River resident, GPA 3.0, financial need

Harry Gottlieb Scholarship

Accounting/business major, greater Fall River resident, financial need and scholastic merit

Nick Grossi Culinary Arts Memorial Scholarship

Student entering the 2nd year of the culinary arts program

HarborOne Credit Union Scholarship

Student enrolled at Bristol Community College who is studying predominantly at the Attleboro Center

Bruce O. and Virginia I. Hawes Scholarship

General Requirements

Lincoln T. Hawes Scholarship

General Requirements

Hebrew Ladies Helping Hands Society Scholarship

Full-time student who demonstrates academic promise and financial need with preference given to a Jewish student with second preference to a resident of greater Fall River

Anne P. Hindle Scholarship

Student matriculating in one of the BCC allied health programs. Based on scholastic merit and financial need

Dr. Rachel V. Holland Memorial Scholarship

Student enrolled at BCC from a financially or educationally disadvantaged background.  Student should exhibit a dedication to utilizing his/her education in helping others in the community

Jack P. Hudnall Memorial Scholarship

Second year student, financial need and scholastic merit

Ruth E. Hurley Nursing Scholarship

The student shall be a member of the graduating class and demonstrated superior clinical competence

Ernest Israel Scholarship

Full-time student who graduated within last five years from Durfee High School, letter of recommendation from teacher or friend required

Jewish Omni Services Scholarship in Honor of Richard B. Wolfson

Nursing student demonstrates financial need and preferably an interest in entering the gerontic nursing field.

Dr. Cynthia K. Karr Scholarship

Student in liberal arts: language, literature or philosophy. Based on scholastic merit/potential and financial need

Joseph and Jeanette Koppelman Scholarship

Financial need, top 30% of class

Virginia Lash Memorial Scholarship

Full-time student who demonstrates financial need.

Virginia and Harold Lash Scholarship

Full-time student, financial need, scholastic merit

Hugh Lavery Memorial Scholarship

BCC student based on scholastic merit and financial need. Student must be a resident of Fall River.

Raymond J. Lavertue, Sr. Criminal Justice Scholarship

Award to be given annually to a deserving, graduating Criminal Justice student who has completed all requirements toward his/her Associates Degree in Criminal Justice. Candidates must have shown outstanding leadership qualities and have demonstrated a dedication to the enhancement of the Criminal Justice System as well as a high level of personal integrity.

John A. & Mary V. Lima Memorial Scholarship

BCC student based on financial need. Student must show academic merit with a grade point average of 3.0. The student must be registered for at least one Portuguese course.

William List Scholarship

Student who is a resident of Fall River, Somerset, Swansea, Westport, or Freetown Massachusetts who demonstrates financial need

Luso Centro Scholarship

The scholarship will be awarded annually to a BCC student based on financial need. The student must show academic merit with a grade point average of 3.0. The student must be registered for at least one Portuguese course.

Marie B. Maalouf Scholarship

Nursing student, financial need, scholastic merit

Senator William and Marjorie MacLean Scholarship

Full-time student who is a resident of Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford or Rochester with financial need, academic achievement and interest in public service and /or leadership

Alfred J. and Marie B. Macomber Music Scholarship

Student with an interest in music with financial need and/or scholastic merit

George and Doris Magnan Memorial Scholarship

Student matriculating in the Fire Science Technology Program who has completed at least 12 general education credits and at least 12 Fire Science credits at BCC with a minimum GPA of 3.0

Basil and Theresa Maravelas Memorial Scholarship

Student in the natural sciences who has scholastic ability, academic potential and financial need

Marie Marshall Nursing Scholarship

Nursing student who demonstrates scholastic merit and financial need

J. Robert Mello Scholarship

Student demonstrating outstanding ability and talent in the art program

Loree Moglia Mullen Memorial Dental Hygiene Scholarship

First year BCC Dental Hygiene student

Mullins Family Nursing Scholarship 

The scholarship will be awarded annually to a nursing student enrolled at Bristol Community College who demonstrates scholastic merit and financial need

Evelyn Pacheco Nursing Scholarship

Second year student enrolled in the nursing program who demonstrates scholastic merit and financial need

Luis Rodrigues Pavao Scholarship

Full-time student with demonstrated financial need and /or scholastic merit

Pierce Foundation Scholarship

Nursing student with minimum GPA 3.0, with financial need

Richard and Doris Quirk Nursing Scholarship

Second year nursing student with financial need, minimum GPA of 3.5, and a resident of Dartmouth, New Bedford, or Fairhaven, Massachusetts

Jessica Raposa Memorial Scholarship

The award shall be given to a Graphics Art student

The Mary Raposa Memorial Scholarship

Students enrolled at Bristol Community College. Preference to be given to members of ESPIRITO SANTO PARISH, located in Fall River, MA.

Rhode Island Society of Governmental Accountants & Auditors Scholarship

Student enrolled in business administration with accounting option who demonstrates financial need and scholastic merit. Priority to Rhode Island residents and additional preference if child or grandchild of SOGAA member

Jessie E. Richardson Art Scholarship

Awarded annually to an art student with a painting concentration, has completed the first year and intends to continue at the College, has exhibited ability and potential for development in painting, demonstrates financial need

Ella A. Rodgers Memorial Scholarship

Student from Greater Fall River who demonstrates financial need and/or scholastic merit

Lucy Rose Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Student entering the second year of the nursing program; demonstrated scholastic and clinical competence and has financial need. Preference to a student from Fall River, MA  or Tiverton, RI

Al and Jeannine Roy Student Elementary Education Scholarship

A student who is majoring in Elementary Education.

Dr. August I. Ryer Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Second year nursing student who demonstrates academic promise and financial need

Diane M. Roussel Memorial Scholarship

Nursing student, scholastic merit and financial need

Mary Lou Hallal Sabra Memorial Scholarship

Student who is a G.E.D. recipient enrolled in either credit or non-credit courses leading to further certification or degree

Philip and Evelyn Sacknoff Scholarship

Student demonstrating financial need and academic promise, preferably in the health sciences or computer science programs

Angela Rose Sbardella Memorial Scholarship

A resident of Fall River, demonstrates scholastic merit and financial need and who will transfer to a four year college upon completion at Bristol Community College

Jenifer E. Serpa Memorial Scholarship

To a full-time student from the Medical Laboratory Technology Program or a graduate of said program who has transferred to a similar program who demonstrates financial need and/or scholastic merit

Edward Terral Smith Memorial Scholarship

Graduating, transferring student, GPA 3.5, with 75% of credits completed at BCC, must attend graduation

Rev. Dr. Lex King Souter Memorial Scholarship

Student enrolled in the liberal arts and humanities program who demonstrates financial need and/or scholastic merit

Robert F. Stoico/FIRSTFED Foundation Scholarship

Accounting/business/business transfer student GPA 3.0, financial need

Sally Sweeney Memorial Scholarship

Full or part-time student demonstrating financial need

Truesdale Hospital Nurses Alumnae Association Scholarship

Student entering the second year of the nursing program, who has demonstrated scholastic and clinical competence and has financial need

Union Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Scholarship

Student entering the second year of the nursing program; that demonstrates outstanding clinical skills and has financial need

BJ Voss Memorial Scholarship

Providing annually a scholarship to a Criminal Justice student enrolled at Bristol Community College who demonstrates financial need.

Elizabeth A. and Sumner James Waring, Jr. Scholarship

Full-time student at BCC who demonstrates financial need and/or scholastic merit

Watuppa Masonic Foundation Scholarship

Student who is a resident of greater Fall River and demonstrates scholastic merit and financial need

Betty M. Welch Scholarship

Business administration/accounting major, with minimum GPA 3.0