College Funding in New Hampshire

Do You Need Help with Tuition?

College students seeking aid are well-served by federal financial assistance like Pell Grants and Direct Loans, but supplemental resources are available at the state level too.  In New Hampshire, the  Division of Higher Education – Higher Education Commission administers the state’s scholarships and grant programs.

The University System of New Hampshire maintains a solid academic tradition, with public colleges and universities totalling 12 state institutions.  Statewide, the system includes The University of New Hampshire campuses, Keene State College, and the campuses of Granite State College and Plymouth State University.  In addition, several campus locations make up the Community College System of New Hampshire.

State resources include general student assistance, as well as targeted initiatives that promote workforce development for specific professions.  Landing New Hampshire financial aid starts with a timely-filed FAFSA.  The Free Application for Federal Student Aid provides vital data for state financial aid administrators, who use it to evaluate each applicant’s level of financial need.  Use the following New Hampshire resources to augment your federal financial aid awards.

General Scholarships and Grants

The Scholarships for Orphans of Veterans program is in-place to reward families that make the ultimate sacrifice for service to country. New Hampshire students who have lost a parent in armed conflict qualify for up to $2500 each academic year, for tuition at in-state public colleges and universities.

New Hampshire Tuition Waiver Program for Foster Children provides higher education assistance for current and former foster care children attending state schools.  To qualify, applicants were in state foster care during the six-month period immediately prior to turning 18, or were in state guardianship on their 18th birthdays.

Federally funded Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships are designated for the academic upper- crust in New Hampshire higher education.  Funding is issued from the Federal Government, to individual state education agencies.  Participating states, like New Hampshire, then administer the scholarships to eligible applicants. Dozens of graduating high school honors-level seniors are recognized annually as Byrd Honors Scholars. Applicants are nominated on the strength of GPA, class rank, ACT/SAT scores and other scholastic accomplishments.

Specialized Studies Programs

* Important Notice:  Due to budgetary constraints, several New Hampshire financial aid initiatives have been discontinued.  The following entries are maintained as historical references, and to provide information should these New Hampshire student assistance programs become operative in the future.

The New Hampshire Incentive Program is a need-based fund designed to make college more affordable for New Hampshire students.  Reciprocal grants allow New Hampshire students to attend colleges within the state, or at a participating school in one of the other New England states (Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island).  The New England Association of Schools and Colleges oversees the grants, worth up to $1000 per academic year, which are issued based on FAFSA findings.

Leveraged Incentive Grants are provided for New Hampshire students attending state colleges and universities. Eligibility is based on financial need and academic merit. Awards are valued at up to $7500 per academic year. Applications are considered by individual colleges.

Academically talented students qualify for the state’s Granite State Scholars program.  This merit-based program offers features designed to keep top students enrolled at participating state colleges (Keene State, University of New Hampshire and Plymouth State University). High acheivers are encouraged to apply directly through their school.

New Hampshire’s Workforce Incentive Program provides additional grants to students who choose study paths in critical shortage professions. such as: Nursing, teaching, math, and foreign languages. The program offers loan forgiveness or loan repayment, in exchange for service at high need facilities in the state. Eligible candidates must be enrolled at participating New Hampshire institutions, and willing to fulfill work obligations following graduation.

Just as in other states, the shortage of teachers has inspired New Hamphire State Government to proactively recruit qualified students into the field. New Hampshire high school juniors and seniors have the opportunity to participate in a career prep program called Exploring the Art of Teaching. Students who participate are offered incentives to pursue teaching as a career – particularly within the state. Participants also qualify for consideration for the Future Educators Academy Scholarship. Students enrolled in state teaching programs, either two-year or four-year, qualify for aid worth between $5000 and $10,000 annually.  Particpants agree to the stipulation that they teach in the New Hampshire public school system following graduation.

Students pursuing allopathic medicine or veterinary medicine are eligible for the Medical Education Program or the Veterinary Education Program. These tuition “capitation” programs provide affordable ways for New Hampshire residents to study at fine institutions, including Dartmouth, Cornell and Tufts University.