Massachusetts vs Pennsylvania: Scholarship Climate 2026
Which climate fits best? Massachusetts offers a higher average award size and more opportunities compared to Pennsylvania, making it more suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial aid.
Institution A
Massachusetts
Institution B
Pennsylvania
Quick comparison
| Metric | Massachusetts | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Active scholarships in catalog | 268 | 125 |
| Avg. award (where known) | $3,188 | $3,131 |
| Max indexed award | $100,000 | $40,000 |
Financial Aid Overview for 2026
In 2026, Massachusetts presents a robust scholarship climate with a total of 282 grants available, averaging approximately $3,525 per award. The maximum award can reach up to $100,000, making it an attractive option for applicants. The top universities in Massachusetts include Worcester State University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Framingham State University, each providing numerous scholarship opportunities.
Conversely, Pennsylvania has a total of 145 grants with an average award size of about $3,320. The maximum award in the state is capped at $40,000. Notable scholarship providers include the Philadelphia Foundation and the POISE Foundation, although the overall volume of opportunities is less than that found in Massachusetts.
Top Scholarship Providers in Massachusetts
Ranked by number of active scholarships
- 233 grants
- 47 grants
- 42 grants
- 41 grants
- 22 grants
Top Scholarship Providers in Pennsylvania
Ranked by number of active scholarships
- 22 grants
- 15 grants
- 13 grants
- 7 grants
- 7 grants
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Scholarship climate by state
Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a vibrant scholarship climate with a high number of grants and substantial award sizes, making it favorable for applicants.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania offers fewer opportunities and lower maximum awards, which may appeal to applicants seeking smaller, more manageable scholarships.
FAQ
What is the average scholarship amount in Massachusetts?
How many scholarships are available in Pennsylvania?
Which state has higher maximum scholarship awards?
Sources and official pages
Official and high-authority pages used to support this State vs State comparison.
- Federal Student Aid (U.S. Department of Education) - government reference
- College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) - government reference
- NCES College Navigator - government reference
- Massachusetts and Pennsylvania scholarship search reference - high-authority reference
More guides around this State vs State comparison
Internal reading paths around scholarship search, application strategy, and essay preparation for students comparing Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
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