QuestBridge Match Scholars: Overview
This page contains information for students accepted as Tufts QuestBridge Match Scholars. Please be sure to review the After Admission page as well for general information.
As a QuestBridge Match Scholar, you are guaranteed a $0 Parental Contribution as a Tufts undergraduate for up to eight semesters.
A standard Student Contribution of at least $1,400 will be required each year from expected summer earnings (listed as the "Student Summer Work Contribution" on our QuestBridge website page). The remaining cost of attendance is covered by grants and Work-Study. Please note that Work-Study is an earnable award and is not credited to your bill.
Your grant aid will be adjusted to minimize the balance due, or if possible give you a credit (negative balance) on your bill for the fall semester of your first year. If you have a credit, you can use the excess funds to help with costs related to starting your first semester at Tufts. You can request the credit as a refund at the start of the fall semester. Please note that this adjustment will not be repeated, and you can anticipate that a small balance may be due each semester in future years.
In addition, you will have indirect costs each year that you will need to pay out of pocket, such as books, costs for traveling between home and campus between breaks, and other personal expenses. Please review the sections below for more details about billing, financial aid, and expenses for QuestBridge Match Scholars.
Your Bill
Each year you will receive a Fall semester bill in July, and a Spring semester bill in November through eBill. Tuition, Housing and Food charges will be billed each semester. The mandatory fees (Activity and Health and Wellness) are charged on the Fall bill only. Your grant aid will be credited to your bill each semester.
Your aid has been adjusted to minimize the balance due, or if possible give you a credit (negative balance) for the Fall semester of your first year. If you have a credit, you can use the excess funds to help with costs related to starting your first semester at Tufts. Thereafter, you can expect a balance will be due in all other semesters. Visit Your Bill, Loan and and Payment Plan for more billing details.
Health Insurance
Massachusetts state law requires every college student to have medical insurance. If you are covered under your family’s plan, you must waive the Tufts Medical Insurance charge on your Fall eBill each year. The online waiver is available from early June to July 31, and the waiver must be completed each year if you have satisfactory alternate coverage..
If you are not covered by a family plan, or if that plan does not satisfy the waiver requirements, you will need to purchase the Tufts insurance. If you must use the Tufts plan for either reason, please contact your financial aid counselor to clarify and document your current coverage and they will increase your Fall Tufts Grant to cover the insurance charge.
Outside Aid
According to Tufts policy and federal regulations, any scholarships you are awarded by outside organizations will adjust your Tufts financial aid award. If possible, we will allow your outside scholarship to reduce your student contribution before reducing your work study award. In some cases, your Tufts grant may be reduced. Visit the Outside Aid page for more details.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
Indirect Costs listed on your award letter (Books and Supplies, Transportation, and Personal Items) are expenses we estimate you will incur while at Tufts that are not charged to your bill. While these expenses are considered when calculating financial aid, this is not money you will receive directly from Tufts. You should plan to arrive at Tufts with $400-$500 to buy your books each semester. Most students use their work study earnings to help pay for personal expenses during the academic year. Visit the Personal Expenses & Money Tips page to learn more about paying for out-of-pocket expenses.
Work-Study
If you are eligible, Work-Study was awarded as part of your aid package. Unlike the grants you were awarded, Work-Study is not credited to your bill. This is money you may earn working at a job, usually on campus. Job listings will be available online. Once you secure a job, you will be paid weekly for the hours you work. Most students use their work study earnings to help pay for personal expenses during the academic year.
Student Loans
Student loans are available if you wish to borrow a loan to replace the summer work contribution and/or campus work study expectations. You can contact your financial aid counselor if you are considering making a loan request.
Your Financial Aid Counselor
We look forward to working with you throughout your time at Tufts. A financial aid counselor has been assigned to you (based on your last name) to help you understand your award and the bill and answer any questions you may have. You can speak with them over the phone, on Zoom, or contact them by email. We look forward to meeting you and working with you!