Earn a college degree…for free!

Early College Promise is an exciting new scholarship program open to all Lowell High School students that fully pays for one year of tuition and expenses at Middlesex Community College.

All Lowell High School students who have earned early college credit by their senior year are encouraged to apply, including those who might be the first member of their family to attend college.

YES: Early College Promise can help you earn an associate degree, a career certificate, or transferable college credits that can be applied toward a bachelor’s degree at no cost to you or your family.

Are you curious? Do you want to learn more?

Contact our team today!

Russ Olwell (he/him)
Dean of Education and K-16 Partnerships
Middlesex Community College
olwellr@middlesex.edu
(978) 656-3370

Far More than a Typical Scholarship

Early College Promise is not a typical scholarship program. Participating students receive a wide range of benefits and support:

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

• Fully pays for one year of enrollment fees and tuition

• Covers the cost of essential course materials and textbooks

• Provides every student with a high-quality laptop for school and personal use

• Saves students and families thousands of dollars on a college degree or career certificate

Wait: How Much Can I Save on a College Degree???

The estimated financial value of an Early College Promise scholarship is $8,000–$10,000 at in-state community college or at least $15,000 at a state university!

STUDENT LIFE

• Provides access to all of Middlesex Community College’s student groups, activities, and events

• Hosts orientation programs, information sessions, and campus tours to help students adjust to college life

• Organizes social outings and volunteer opportunities for participating students

• Connects students to essential resources such as mental health counseling, nutrition assistance, or financial guidance

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

• Pairs students with program coordinators and academic advisors who help them transition into college coursework

• Provides access to on-campus tutoring and other forms of academic support

• Supports the development of academic confidence and self-advocacy skills 

• Helps students improve their GPA and strengthen their academic portfolio so they can successfully transfer into a four-year college program

Transfer to a Four-Year Program and Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

After students earn an associate’s degree, Early College Promise helps them take advantage of the state’s MassTransfer or Commonwealth Commitment programs, which can offer students discounted tuition rates, guaranteed admissions at in-state colleges and universities, and a seamless transfer of course credits for those students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

CAREER SUPPORT

• Supports the exploration of a wide variety of career options and pathways

• Pairs students experienced counselors who advise students on career planning

• Provides access to internship opportunities, job fairs, and other pre-professional experiences that help prepare students for the modern workplace

• Helps students acquire marketable skills in high-demand career fields and develop a resume that stands out to prospective employers

Eligibility and Admissions

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

All Lowell High School students are eligible for Early College Promise as long as they:

1. Have earned early college credits by the end of the spring semester of their senior year.

2. Are on track to graduate from Lowell High School at the time they apply.

3. Aspire to be full-time college students for at least one full year after they earn their high school diploma. To ensure that participating students can dedicate sufficient time to their coursework and college life, advisors recommend that they plan to work no more than 18 hours per week during the school year.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

1. The Early College Promise application process opens in January of each school year.

2. The priority deadline for student applications is February 15, 2023. Applicants who meet the February 15 deadline will receive priority consideration during the admissions process.

3. The final general admissions deadline for all student applications is March 8, 2023.

APPLICATION PROCESS

While Early College Promise is open to any interested student who meets the eligibility criteria, the program can only accept a limited number of applicants. Interested students are strongly encouraged to apply early, take time to complete their application, and contact our team if they have questions or need assistance with their application.

Submission Deadlines for the 2026–2026 School Year
Priority consideration deadline: February 15, 2025
General admissions deadline: March 15, 2025

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE EARLY COLLEGE PROMISE ONLINE APPLICATION FORM

NEED HELP?

Reach out to one of our team members:

Russ Olwell (he/him)
Dean of Education and K-16 Partnerships
Middlesex Community College
olwellr@middlesex.edu
(978) 656-3370

Program Partners and Funding

Funding and state-level support for Lowell High School’s Early College Promise program is provided by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Early College Promise Pilot Program and by generous in-kind contributions from Middlesex Community College.

Lowell Public Schools and Lowell High School also sincerely thank the Smith Family Foundation for providing vital start-up funding for the program and local nonprofit partner Project LEARN for its instrumental leadership and ongoing support of our early college programming.