City of Cambridge, Massachusetts Scholarship: local aid for residents and next deadline

The City of Cambridge Scholarship Fund is local aid supported by donations from Cambridge residents, businesses, and taxpayers. Unlike many scholarships limited to recent high-school graduates, the City says residents of all ages may apply. The 2026 cycle is closed: the municipal page set March 4, 2026 as the application deadline. As of this guide’s date, the page has not announced the 2027 calendar.

The scholarship serves Cambridge residents who are attending, have been admitted to, or have an application pending at an accredited postsecondary institution before the award date. The award is paid directly to the school and must be used in the stated academic year. It is a one-time award; previous recipients are not eligible to apply again. The City says a scholarship may be held for up to six years under its published rules.

In 2025, the City awarded 86 scholarships of $3,000 each, totalling $258,000. That figure shows the scale of a previous cohort; it is not a promised amount for 2026 or 2027. Do not confuse the 2025 historical result with a future award. Wait for the next cycle’s published amount and do not use it to plan an enrolment deposit before an official decision.

The 2026 application required a completed form, a high-school or college transcript, an evaluation from a counsellor, teacher, clergy member, or professional associate, and a financial-aid questionnaire. A committee of six Cambridge residents appointed by the City Manager reviews and ranks the files. The City says it considers academic achievement, community or extracurricular involvement, financial need, and special circumstances; reviewers do not see the applicant’s name during evaluation.

The opportunity can fit several stages of education: a student may apply after admission or while admission is pending, as long as the accredited-institution condition and award date are met. If admission is still pending, ask how to document the application and update the City if the school changes. Because payment goes to the institution, it is not a freely usable cheque for rent, transportation, or personal expenses.

The 2026 deadline was March 4 and that award was for the 2026–27 academic year. Do not submit the closed form or assume the same amount and documents will repeat in 2027. Check the Finance Department’s page early next year or ask to be notified about the next opening, award amount, deferral rules, and any revised application materials. File FAFSA and institutional aid applications in parallel.

Cambridge’s Finance Department administers the fund. The City lists 617-349-4220 and Scholarships@cambridgema.gov; the office is at 795 Massachusetts Avenue, first floor, Cambridge, MA 02139. The municipal scholarship profile explains the criteria and documents; the Finance Department profile identifies where to ask about the next date without confusing city aid with college admission.

Living outside Cambridge does not become eligibility just because you attend a Cambridge college: municipal residency is the entry requirement. Keep proof of residence and ask what documentation the next cycle accepts. For residents, this award may supplement campus, federal, and state aid, but a competitive committee and annual budget mean it should never be treated as guaranteed money.

City of Cambridge Scholarship Fund — City of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

2026 Scholarship Application Now Being Accepted — City of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Information verified on October 12, 2026 against official pages and documents. Applications and terms can change; check the current cycle and confirm any conflicting information directly with the provider before submitting documents or relying on an award.