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Austin Community College vs University of Massachusetts Amherst 2026
Who is it for? This comparison is ideal for students seeking financial aid options between a community college and a large university. Austin Community College focuses more on need-based aid, while UMass Amherst emphasizes merit-based scholarships.
Institution A
Austin Community College
Institution B
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Quick comparison
| Metric | Austin Community College | University of Massachusetts Amherst |
|---|---|---|
| Scholarships in catalog | 138 | 47 |
| Avg. award (where known) | $2,095 | $1,828 |
| Max award (index signal) | $6,600 | $5,000 |
| Open deadlines share | 100% | 23% |
| Merit vs need (approx.) | Merit 13% · Need 87% | Merit 55.3% · Need 44.7% |
Financial Aid Overview
Austin Community College offers a higher percentage of need-based aid at 87%, with an average grant amount of approximately $2,095. In contrast, the University of Massachusetts Amherst provides 44.7% need-based aid and focuses more on merit-based scholarships, with an average grant amount of around $1,828.
Writing efforts
Austin Community College
Austin Community College has numerous resources for crafting essays for various scholarships, emphasizing the importance of personal storytelling and community involvement.
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Amherst also provides guidance on essay writing, focusing on academic achievements and extracurricular involvement, reflecting its merit-based scholarship approach.
Top grants by university
Largest active university-linked grants first. Each side shows the top three opportunities currently indexed for that school.
Adult Career Scholars
Austin Community College offers this scholarship to help cover education costs. It is geared toward students attending Austin Community College. The listed award is $6,600. Plan to apply by May 1, 2026.
May 1, 2026
13 days left
9 requirements
Requirements
$6,600
Award Amount
Direct to student
The Dandley Internship Award
University of Massachusetts Amherst offers this scholarship to help cover education costs. It is geared toward students attending University of Massachusetts Amherst. The listed award is $5,000. Plan to apply by April 15, 2026.
Apr 15, 2026
deadline passed
9 requirements
Requirements
$5,000
Award Amount
Rotary Club of Austin-Southwest / Roger Beasley Mazda Automotive Scholarship
Austin Community College offers this scholarship to help cover education costs. It is geared toward students attending Austin Community College. The listed award is $5,000. Plan to apply by May 1, 2026.
May 1, 2026
13 days left
6 requirements
Requirements
$5,000
Award Amount
Patricia M. Sullivan Scholarship
University of Massachusetts Amherst offers this scholarship to help cover education costs. It is geared toward students attending University of Massachusetts Amherst. The listed award is $4,000. Plan to apply by April 15, 2026.
Apr 15, 2026
deadline passed
6 requirements
Requirements
$4,000
Award Amount
Peierls Foundation Transfer Scholarship
Austin Community College offers this scholarship to help cover education costs. It is geared toward students attending Austin Community College. The listed award is $4,000. Plan to apply by May 1, 2026.
May 1, 2026
13 days left
7 requirements
Requirements
$4,000
Award Amount
Direct to student
The Scott J. Bacherman Internship Scholarship
University of Massachusetts Amherst offers this scholarship to help cover education costs. It is geared toward students attending University of Massachusetts Amherst. The listed award is $3,500. Plan to apply by April 15, 2026.
Apr 15, 2026
deadline passed
9 requirements
Requirements
$3,500
Award Amount
Not sure about the location?
Compare Texas vs Massachusetts scholarship markets to see how the broader state climate changes the funding picture.
FAQ
What percentage of students receive need-based aid at Austin Community College?
What is the average grant amount for students at UMass Amherst?
How many open grants are available at Austin Community College?
What is the maximum grant amount offered by UMass Amherst?
Sources and official pages
Official university and high-authority pages used to support this 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
- Peterson’s College Search — high-authority reference
More guides around this comparison
Internal reading paths for students comparing Austin Community College and University of Massachusetts Amherst, with extra scholarship context and essay-writing support.
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- How to Choose Between a Merit Scholarship and a Need-Based Package
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