Q. What is the Koplik Certificate of Mastery?
A. The Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery is a non-need-based tuition credit for Massachusetts public colleges and universities.
Q. Who is Eligible to receive the Koplik Certificate of Mastery?
A. To be eligible to apply for a Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Award, a student must:
Q. What if my child is not a permanent resident, US Citizen, or eligible non-citizen but has met all other requirements?
A. Your child may receive the certificate as recognition of his/her achievements however (s)he may not use the tuition credit portion of the award.
Q. How will I know if my child qualifies for the Koplik Certificate of Mastery?
A. Students who meet the initial qualifications are usually notified in their Junior year however, the class of 2023 will be notified within 3 months of MCAS score release by letter to the students' parents or guardians. This letter, in combination with the included application form, explains the remaining requirements should the student wish to pursue them.
Q. When should we expect to receive the initial qualification letter?
A. Coordinators* at your child's high school are asked to inform the class of 2024 families of initial qualification as soon as possible after receiving the eligibility list from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Keeping in mind that there are several rounds of eligible students due to MCAS retakes, we anticipate this year's notifications to be out by February 2024.
Q. What exactly does initial qualification mean?
A. To be eligible to apply, a student must meet the initial qualification based on Grade 10 MCAS Scores. Students must earn a score of "exceeding expectations" or "advanced" (if using Legacy scores) on one MCAS exam and a minimum of "meeting expectations" or "proficient" (if using Legacy scores) on the remaining exams. Because of the transition to the next-generation MCAS tests, you may receive different scores for initial qualification, please use the table below to assist with the conversion:
Q. So if my son/daughter does well enough on the grade 10 MCAS to get this letter then he/she will get free tuition?
A. No. The initial qualification Ietter is not the actual award, your child must fulfill the additional requirements and file an application with his/her Koplik coordinator. Once received, the Koplik Certificate may be used as a credit towards tuition.
Q. I believe my child met these initial qualifications but junior year is over and we have not received a letter. What do we do?
A. Please be patient as there may be several factors contributing to the notification process. If you do not receive a letter by March and believe you should have, please contact your child's high school guidance counselor or Koplik coordinator.
Q. We've gotten the initial qualification letter, what's next?
A. To receive the Certificate of Mastery, students must fulfill additional requirements through one of the pathways listed on page 3 of the application packet.
Q. What are the tests my child must take?
A. Accepted exams and scores are listed on page 4 of the application. Please note that the exams may not be in the same content area (i.e. Chemistry and Biology).
Q. What about "other achievements"? How do I know what is acceptable?
A. Page 5 of the application includes a short list of accepted academic achievements however it is important to note the following:
Q. What is the actual amount of the Koplik Certificate of Mastery:
A. The Koplik Certificate of Mastery provides credit toward tuition at MA public colleges and universities but does not include fees, books, room and board, etc. Because tuition rates vary from school to school the amount of each credit is different. For current credit amounts, please refer to the chart on the Office of Student Financial Assistance website.
Q. How long can the Koplik Certificate of Mastery be used?
A. The Koplik Certificate of Mastery must be used in the September following high school graduation and may be used for 8 consecutive semesters at Massachusetts public colleges and university however students are required to maintain a G.P.A. of 3.3 for continued eligibility.
Q. Does my child need to reapply?
A. Once received; students do not need to reapply for the Koplik Certificate of Mastery however students are required to maintain a G.P.A. of 3.3 for continued eligibility and file a FAFSA each year, regardless of financial need.
Q. We've gotten the letter and fulfilled the requirements, how do we apply?
A. Koplik Application forms should be submitted to the Koplik coordinator* at your high school. Applications sent directly to the ESE will not be processed.
Application Process:
All applications and supporting documentation should be submitted directly to the school's Koplik Coordinator, please do not send copies directly to the ESE as they will not be accepted.
For students in their senior year, applications must be submitted to the Koplik coordinator by May 1. It is important to note that since scores from tests taken in May and June are not reported until early July, the application need not be complete when submitted however notifications will not be sent until scores are received. Koplik coordinators* must receive the AP exam scores from the student by July 20 as they are asked to submit scores for these students by the end of July.
*Every public high school, regional high school, regional vocational technical high school and public charter high school is asked to assign a person to serve as the Koplik coordinator. The Koplik coordinator is responsible for:
Q. I met the initial qualifications but did not file an application before I graduated, can I apply now?
A. Unfortunately applications cannot be filed after you have already graduated from high school.
Q. I received the Koplik certificate before I graduated but went to a private university for my freshman year. Can I use my tuition credit now?
A. The Koplik certificate must be used in the September following your high school graduation.
Important Note:
Most MA public colleges and universities require the hard copy of both the Koplik letter and certificate. While the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education keeps an electronic database of Koplik recipients DESE Does Not print certificates. Please keep your letter and certificate in a safe place.
Last Updated: November 8, 2023
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
Disclaimer: A reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.