Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Logo
Student Scholarships, Awards & Special Programs

Comparison of Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Award and the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship

Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Award John and Abigail Adams Scholarship

Class of 2024 Students qualify for the Koplik Certificate by:

1) scoring at the Advanced level or next-generation equivalent* on the grade 10 MCAS test in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, or Science and Technology/Engineering and Proficient or next-generation equivalent* or higher in the other two subject tests and 2) demonstrating additional academic achievements on AP and/or additional pathways as described on pages 3–7 of the application (available November 2023).

The Koplik certificate provides a tuition credit to a MA state college or university.

*scores can be found in section 4 of Student Assessment Update September 22, 2022

Students qualify for the Adams Scholarship by 1) scoring at the Advanced level or next-generation equivalent on the grade 10 MCAS test in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, or Science and Technology/Engineering and Proficient or next-generation equivalent or higher in the other two subject tests and 2) having a combined score that places them in the top 25% of students in their district. The Adams scholarship provides a tuition credit to a MA state college or university.
Students may take the grade 10 MCAS tests in grades 11 and 12 in an attempt to meet the eligibility requirements for the Koplik certificate. Students are not allowed to take grade 10 MCAS tests a second time. The Adams scholarship is based on first time grade 10 test takers.
Students must submit an application for the Koplik award to their School Counselor or Koplik Coordinator by the 1st of May of their senior year. There is no application for the Adams scholarship award. Students who qualify for the scholarship receive an award letter in the fall of their senior year.
In order to use the award, students must present a copy of their certificate to the financial aid office at the Massachusetts public college or university they plan to attend and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid each year. In order to receive the scholarship, students must notify the financial aid office of the Massachusetts public college or university to which they have been accepted and complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The tuition credit must be used in the fall of the year the student graduates from high school. The tuition credit must be used within 6 years of a student's high school graduation.
The tuition credit is in effect for eight consecutive semesters provided that the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher. If the GPA falls below 3.3 the student loses the tuition credit. The tuition credit is in effect for eight semesters provided that the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. If the GPA falls below 3.0 the student loses the tuition credit.
The tuition credit applies to all Massachusetts public colleges and universities with the exception of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. The tuition credit applies to all Massachusetts public colleges and universities with the exception of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
A student who receives both the Koplik Scholarship and a Pell Grant is eligible for funds through the Academic Competitiveness (AC) Grant. A student who receives both the Adams Scholarship and a Pell Grant is not automatically eligible for funds through the Academic Competitiveness (AC) Grant.

Additional information is available on the following websites:

Please Note: While a student may receive both the Adams Scholarship and the Koplik Certificate, only one may be used to waive tuition. The other will be considered recognition of outstanding achievement.

Last Updated: March 8, 2024

 
Contact Us

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149

Voice: (781) 338-3000
TTY: (800) 439-2370

Directions

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.