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Massachusetts vs Vermont: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Massachusetts offers a more robust scholarship climate with higher average awards and a greater number of opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial support. Vermont, while having fewer opportunities, may appeal to those looking for niche scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Massachusetts

State B

Vermont

Quick comparison

MetricMassachusettsVermont
Active scholarships in catalog26837
Avg. award (where known)$3,188$2,588
Max indexed award$100,000$17,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Massachusetts presents a strong scholarship climate with a total of 149 grants available, an average award size of $2,552.85, and a maximum award amount reaching $40,000. The top universities in Massachusetts include Worcester State University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Framingham State University, which collectively offer a significant number of scholarships.

In contrast, Vermont has a smaller scholarship pool with only 30 grants available and an average award size of $2,426.67, with a maximum award amount of $17,000. The scholarship opportunities in Vermont are more limited, with the Vermont Principals' Association being one of the few notable sources of funding.

Top Scholarship Providers in Massachusetts

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Vermont

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Massachusetts

Massachusetts has a vibrant scholarship landscape with numerous opportunities and higher average awards, making it favorable for applicants seeking substantial financial aid.

Vermont

Vermont's scholarship climate is less competitive, offering fewer opportunities and lower maximum awards, which may suit applicants looking for specific niche scholarships.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

State-level affordability context to complement scholarship climate above - not ScholarshipTop grant totals.

Visual comparison

Massachusetts

Median household income

$103,563

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$2,161

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

29.13/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$63,590

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 26.85 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

middle indicator band

ADI band

lower indicator band

SVI counties

14

ADI counties

14

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 14 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 14 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Vermont

Median household income

$79,115

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,379

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

24.47/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$56,390

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 16.30 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

lower indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

14

ADI counties

14

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 14 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 14 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Sources: Census ACS, HUD FMR, MIT Living Wage, BLS OEWS, and public reference datasets where available. Rent figures may reflect metro or state averages.

Public safety context uses aggregate public data and is included only as planning context.

Reference only - not ScholarshipTop eligibility rules or guarantees.

Data availability varies by school, city, state, and source year.

FAQ

What is the average scholarship amount in Massachusetts?
The average scholarship amount in Massachusetts is $2,552.85.
How many scholarships are available in Vermont?
There are 30 scholarships available in Vermont.
Which universities in Massachusetts offer the most scholarships?
Worcester State University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Framingham State University are the top universities offering scholarships in Massachusetts.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in Vermont?
The maximum scholarship amount in Vermont is $17,000.

Sources and official pages

Official and high-authority pages used to support this State vs State comparison.

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Internal reading paths around scholarship search, application strategy, and essay preparation for students comparing Massachusetts and Vermont.

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