In order to be eligible for the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, Massachusetts public high school students in the class of 2015 or earlier must

have scores of Advanced and Proficient on grade 10 MCAS tests in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics (at least one score must be Advanced) and
have combined scores on MCAS ELA and Mathematics tests that place them in the top 25 percent of students in the graduating class in their district.

Beginning with the class of 2016, in order to be eligible for the scholarship, students must

score at the Advanced performance level on one of the three high school state assessment tests in ELA, Mathematics, or STE (Biology, Chemistry, Introductory Physics, or Technology/Engineering); and
score at the Proficient level or higher on the remaining two high school state assessment tests; and
have combined scores from the three tests that place them in the top 25 percent of students in the graduating class in their district.

Scholarship eligibility is based on each student's first attempt at taking the spring grade 10 MCAS tests in ELA and Mathematics (and for students in the class of 2016 and beyond, first attempt at taking one of the four STE tests). In order to receive the scholarship, a student must be enrolled in a Massachusetts public high school in his or her senior year. Students who qualify for the scholarship will receive award letters and further information in the fall of their senior year.

Students in charter schools and students who participate in school choice or METCO are eligible for the scholarship if they meet the eligibility requirements for either the school they attend or the district in which they reside.

In order to claim the Adams Scholarship, the student must

be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts for at least one year prior to entering college as a freshman;
United States Citizen or a non-citizen authorized by the federal government to live and work in the United States on a temporary or permanent basis;
be a graduate of a Massachusetts public high school;
be accepted at a Massachusetts public college or university;
complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
submit the Adams Scholarship award letter to the financial aid office; and
enroll as a full-time student.

To continue receiving the Adams Scholarship, a student must

be enrolled full-time at a public higher education institution;
maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 on all college work; and
annually complete the FAFSA.

Eligible students who first enrolled in a private college or public university in another state may activate their Adams Scholarship upon transfer to a Massachusetts public college or university, provided they have previously maintained a cumulative 3.0 GPA.