Top Free Grants for Felons in Massachusetts in 2026

 Are there Grants for Felons in Massachusetts? Yes, Massachusetts offers multiple reentry, housing, education, and employment grant programs to help formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into the community. Felons in Massachusetts can get access to emergency rental assistance like RAFT to tuition-free college programs such as MassReconnect and workforce grants through MassHire. Most programs do not automatically disqualify applicants based on a criminal record.

According to Massachusetts reentry reports, thousands of individuals return from incarceration each year, increasing demand for housing assistance, workforce training, and education grants statewide. Go through the guide to get updated information on free grants and financial help for felons.

Reentry and Housing Grants for Felons in Massachusetts

Massachusetts offers multiple housing grants and reentry programs for felons designed to prevent homelessness and support stable reintegration. From emergency rental assistance to transitional housing, multiple housing support programs are available for returning citizens across Massachusetts.

Justice 4 Housing in Massachusetts

Justice 4 Housing is a Massachusetts-based housing justice initiative that provides fair housing access to formerly incarcerated individuals. The main focus of the organization is to fight housing discrimination and help returning citizens in Massachusetts to understand their legal rights. Justice 4 Housing may not provide direct rental grants but will help in removing barriers that prevent felons from securing stable housing.

Eligibility For Justice 4 Housing

To be eligible for Justice 4 Housing, individuals must be a resident of Massachusetts, have a felony conviction and be seeking rental or public housing. Priorities are given to low income individuals or families facing housing discrimination due to background checks.

How To Apply For Justice 4 Housing?

To apply for Justice 4 Housing, you need to contact the organization directly to get help with housing advocacy assistance. Request support if you are denied housing unfairly. The documents that are required are ID proof, residential proof and background check if needed. To learn more visit the official website of Justice 4 Housing.

Brie’s House

Brie’s House is a transitional reentry housing program in Massachusetts designed to help out the formerly incarcerated individuals to successfully reintegrate into the community after release. This program is operated by the Justice 4 Housing and focuses on ending housing discrimination and providing stable and secure housing to justice-impacted individuals. Felons in Massachusetts can get access to temporary housing with supportive services, case management and other life-skills support.

Eligibility For Brie’s House

To be eligible for Brie’s House, individuals must be a resident of Massachusetts, must be formerly incarcerated, must be seeking transitional housing support, able to participate in supportive services like case management and life skills. Might need to meet the specific-program criteria.

How To Apply For Brie’s House?

To apply for Brie’s House, contact the program directly and request to intake information and eligibility screening. Provide basic documents including ID, proof of residence and release papers. To learn more about the housing program visit the page of Brie’s House.

Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizens (Boston)

Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizens (ORC) is a Boston city government office dedicated to helping returning citizens by providing them with essential reentry services, support, and resources to rebuild their lives successfully. The main focus of the ORC is to help returning citizens to connect with support in areas like employment, identification documents, legal services, health care, and access to community resources. ORC might not provide you with direct housing but they can connect individuals to housing programs along with case management.

Eligibility For Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizens

To be eligible for Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizens, individuals who have been recently released from state, federal, or county incarceration, planning to reside in Boston and must be facing barriers to stable housing, employment, benefits, or documents because of a criminal record. There are no income eligibility requirements, returning residents can get help with reentry needs.

How To Apply For Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizens?

To register for the Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizen services you need to visit the City of Boston. You can visit the official during walk-in hours at 30 Dimock Street

2nd floor, Roxbury , MA 02119. For questions, appointments or referrals call on 617-541-3887 or email them at orc@boston.gov.  

Community Resources for Justice (CRJ)

Community Resources for Justice (CRJ) is a long-established Massachusetts-based nonprofit that is working to help out the formerly incarcerated people so that they can reintegrate into the community successfully. CRJ offers reentry services, residential reentry centers, education, counseling, and assistance with employment and housing support through federal, state, and county agencies.

Eligibility For Community Resources for Justice Services

To be eligible for Community Resources for Justice Services, must be an individual looking to transition from incarceration to the community, having felony convictions, must be referred by a parole office, willing to participate in structured reentry programming, counseling, and support services.

How To Apply For Community Resources for Justice Services?

To apply for Community Resources for Justice Services, you need to talk to your case manager, parole officer, or probation officer to know the availability of the CRJ residential reentry programs and get a referral. You can visit the main office at 355 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116, USA and for general queries call on (617) 482-2520. To know more about the services visit the website of Community Resources for Justice.

Pine Street Inn & Project Place

Pine Street Inn and Project Place in Massachusetts offer help with housing and reentry support to the individuals with felony convictions. Pine Street Inn focuses on helping individuals who are experiencing homelessness by providing them with emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing programs, workforce development, and case management. Whereas Project Place focuses on job training, employment placement, transitional and permanent supportive housing, and individualized case management.

To be eligible you must be facing homelessness or housing instability and the services are offered for free or at a reduced price. To learn more, call them directly and know about the application procedure.

Pine Street Inn

Address: 444 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118, United States

Contact: +1 617-892-9100

Project Place

Address:145 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118, United States

Contact:+1 617-542-3740

RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition)

Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) is a state-funded emergency housing support program in Massachusetts that offers help to the low-income renters or homeowners including felons. RAFT offers financial assistance up to $7,000 per household for a year. The amount can be used for covering overdue rent, utility bills, moving costs, first/last month’s rent, security deposits, or mortgage help if at risk of foreclosure.

Eligibility For RAFT For Felons

To be eligible for RAFT, you must be a resident of Massachusetts, at risk of losing your housing, your household income is at or below 50% of your AMI and must have documentation about the housing crisis. In some cases up to 60% AMI might qualify, it is best to directly talk to the provider.

How To Apply For RAFT?

You can apply for RAFT through the Massachusetts Housing Help Hub online portal and complete the household or tenant application. Gather documents including ID, proof of housing, documentation of housing crisis, proof of income. A Regional Administering Agency will review your application and might request for additional information. Application processing might take a few weeks. For general queries call on (877) 211-6277.

The F8 Foundation

The F8 Foundation is a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization that offers help to the formerly incarcerated individuals through reentry assistance, mentoring, employment readiness, and personal development programs. To be eligible, individuals must have a criminal record and be planning for reintegration. You submit your application, visit F8 Foundation or email them at info@thef8foundation.org.

Educational Grants for Felons in Massachusetts

Massachusetts provides several education grants and tuition-free college programs for felons, including state-funded financial aid and federal Pell Grants that help returning citizens earn degrees and certificates.

MassReconnect

MassReconnect is a Massachusetts state-funded program allowing eligible adults age 25 or older to attend Massachusetts community colleges for free by covering tuition and other mandatory fees. Individuals with felony convictions are not automatically disqualified from the program. MassReconnect can be a great option for returning citizens to complete a certificate or associate degree in high-demand fields like healthcare, IT, skilled trades, and business. The program offers help with improving employment opportunities and income stability for the returning citizens in Massachusetts.

Eligibility For MassReconnect For Felons

To be eligible for MassReconnect For Felons, individuals must be 25 years or older, must be a resident of Massachusetts, do not hold any bachelor’s degree, must enroll in a Massachusetts public community college and meet specific admission requirements for college.

How to Apply For MassReconnect For Felons?

To apply for MassReconnect, you need to complete your FAFSA online at studentaid.gov and choose a Massachusetts community college of your choice. Work with your college financial aid office to determine your MassReconnect eligibility and enroll in an approved certificate or associate degree program. To get more information visit the MassReconnect page. For general queries on eligibility and application call on (617) 391-6070.

MassEducate For Felons

MassEducate is a Massachusetts state-funded program that provides tuition- and fee-free community college to the eligible residents of any age. The program covers the remaining tuition and other educational expenses after application of federal and state financial aid that can go up to $1,200. The MassEducate program can be a great boon for the returning citizens in Massachusetts to earn a certificate or associate degree in high-fields like healthcare, information technology, business, and skilled trades.

Eligibility For MassEducate For Felons

To be eligible for MassEducate, individuals must be a resident of Massachusetts, enrolled in a Massachusetts public community college, take at least 6 credits per semester in an approved program, do not hold a bachelor’s degree and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

How To Apply For MassEducate For Felons?

To apply for MassEducate, complete your FAFSA online at studentaid.gov and choose a Massachusetts community college of your choice. Work with your college financial aid office to determine your MassEducate eligibility and enroll in an approved certificate or associate degree program. To get more information about the program, visit the MassEducate page. For general queries regarding eligibility and application call on (617) 391-6070. 

MASSGrant Plus for Felons in Massachusetts

MASSGrant Plus is a Massachusetts state financial aid program that offers funds to the eligible low income students who are attending Massachusetts public colleges and universities. The grant amount can be used to cover the remaining tuition and mandatory fees after application of other federal and state grants. The family earning $85,000 per year can get grants ranging from $1,000–$1,200. MASSGrant can be a great option for individuals with a felony conviction to get enrolled in an approved undergraduate degree program at a Massachusetts public institution.

Eligibility For MASSGrant Plus For Felons

To be eligible for MASSGrant Plus For Felons, individuals must be a Massachusetts resident, enrolled full-time in a Massachusetts public college or university, pursuing an undergraduate degree, not be default on federal or state student loans and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

How To Apply For MASSGrant Plus For Felons?

To apply for MASSGrant Plus For Felon, complete your FAFSA online at studentaid.gov and choose an approved Massachusetts community college of your choice. Work with your college financial aid office to determine your MASSGrant Plus eligibility. To learn more about the program visit the MASSGrant Plus page. For general queries about eligibility and application call on (617) 391-6070

Massachusetts Cash Grant

Massachusetts Cash Grant is a state-funded financial aid program that provides need-based grant assistance to eligible Massachusetts residents who are attending approved public or private colleges within the state. It is a complementary program to the Need-Based Tuition Waiver Program,  the grant amount can be used to cover tuition, fees, and other educational expenses after the application of federal aid. Felons in Massachusetts can apply for the Massachusetts Cash Grant if they meet residency, enrollment, and financial requirements.

Eligibility For Massachusetts Cash Grant

To be eligible for Massachusetts Cash Grant, you must be a resident of Massachusetts, enrolled in an eligible Massachusetts college or university, must be pursuing an undergraduate degree or certificate, not be in default on federal or state student loans and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

How To Apply For Massachusetts Cash Grant?

To apply for Massachusetts Cash Grant, complete your FAFSA online at studentaid.gov and choose an approved Massachusetts community college of your choice. Work with your college financial aid office to confirm your eligibility for Massachusetts Cash Grant. To know more about the grant visit the website of Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. For general queries about the grant call on (617) 391-6070.

Employment and Job Training Grants for Felons in Massachusetts

Massachusetts workforce development programs provide job training grants, apprenticeships, and employment placement services for felons, helping individuals secure stable employment after incarceration.

State Re-Entry Workforce Development Grants

State Re-Entry Workforce Development Grants in Massachusetts are funded by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and administered by MassHire Career Centers and other community organizations. The grant offers help with job training, skill development, career counseling, and employment placement services for the returning citizens in Massachusetts. The main focus of the program is to help out the formerly incarcerated individuals to gain stable employment and successfully reintegrate into the society.

Eligibility For Felons For State Re-Entry Workforce Development Grants

To be eligible for State Re-Entry Workforce Development Grants, individuals must be a Massachusetts resident, have a criminal record or recent incarceration history, legally authorized to work in the U.S and must be seeking employment or job training. For some specific grants you need to meet the program eligibility criteria.

How To Apply For State Re-Entry Workforce Development Grants?

To apply for State Re-Entry Workforce Development Grants, you need to contact your local MassHire Career Center and schedule an appointment. Gather documentation like ID, proof of residency and release papers to enroll in approved workforce training or employment programs. To learn more, visit the official Massachusetts government website. For general queries call on (617) 626-5300.

MassHire and Workforce Services

MassHire and Workforce Services provide free employment and training support to Massachusetts residents that includes individuals with felony convictions. Returning citizens in Massachusetts can get help with resume assistance, interview preparation, skills training, apprenticeships, and job placement programs.

To be eligible, an individual must be a Massachusetts resident and have legal authorization to work. To apply you need to contact your local MassHire Career Center and complete an intake appointment. You can visit MassHire for updated details. For general queries call on (617) 626-5300.

National Programs Grants For Felons in Massachusetts

Federal programs available in Massachusetts include the Pell Grant, SNAP, TAFDC, MassHealth, and the Federal Bonding Program, offering support with education, food, cash assistance, healthcare, and employment.

The Federal Pell Grant (Second Chance Pell) in Massachusetts

The Federal Pell Grant (Second Chance Pell) is administered by the U.S. Department of Education to help out the incarcerated individuals in Massachusetts to get access to college education while they are serving sentences in prison. The Second Chance Pell initiative allows the eligible students to get enrolled in approved Prison Education Programs (PEPs).

The need based financial aid can be used to cover for tuition, books, and required coursework. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Pell Grant awards can exceed $7,000 per year depending on eligibility. Students must submit the FAFSA application. To learn more, visit the official U.S. Department of Education website at StudentAid.gov.

SNAP For Felons in Massachusetts

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Massachusetts offers monthly food benefits to the eligible low income individuals and households, including felons. The main aim of the program is to ensure access to nutritious food while individuals can work towards employment, housing stability and become self-sufficient. To apply for SNAP in Massachusetts, you can submit your application through DTA Connect, or call the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) at (877) 382-2363.

Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)

TANF is known as Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) in Massachusetts offering cash support to the eligible low income families and households. TAFDC is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) offering cash assistance that can be used to cover essentials like food, clothing, housing and shelter. You can apply for TAFDC using DTA Connect or simply call at 1-877-382-2363.

MassHealth

MassHealth is the combination of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in Massachusetts that provides health insurance to low-income adults, families, pregnant women, children, and people with disabilities. People with felony convictions can also access MassHealth to support successful reentry into the community.

Eligibility is primarily based on income, with many adults qualifying if their income is at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. MassHealth services include preventive care, prescription medications, mental health and substance use treatment, and doctor visits. You can apply for MassHealth through the MA Health Connector or dial 1-800-841-2900. For in-person you can visit a MassHealth Enrollment Center near you.

The Federal Bonding Program In Massachusetts

The Federal Bonding Program (FBP) in Massachusetts provides free, $5,000–$25,000 fidelity bonds to employers who are hiring job seekers who have criminal records. The fidelity bond protects the employers from any kind of theft or dishonesty caused by the employee for the first six months.

The Federal Bonding Program does not require any paperwork and it is completely free. The Federal Bonding Program is highly valuable for the individuals with felony convictions in Massachusetts as it gives them a chance to get jobs with regards to their history.  You can apply for the Federal Bonding Program in Massachusetts by visiting One-Stop Career Centers near you.

Can Felons Get Help With Legal Assistance in Massachusetts?

Yes, felons in Massachusetts can get free civil legal assistance through Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS). GBLS is a non-profit law firm that offers help to the low income residents in the Greater Boston area, including individuals with felony convictions. GBLS offers help with CORI sealing, housing disputes, employment discrimination, eviction defense, public housing denials, and access to public benefits such as SNAP, SSI, and SSDI. GBLS services mainly focus on civil cases rather than criminal defense. To qualify, applicants need to meet income guidelines and live in the area where GBLS operates. To complete an intake application call on (617) 371-1234 or visit GBLS.

Is There Emergency Help For Felons in Massachusetts?

Yes, there is emergency help available for felons in Massachusetts. Massachusetts 211 is one of the fastest ways to find emergency help, connecting individuals with trained specialists providing referrals with emergency housing, rental assistance, food programs, utility help, mental health services, and reentry support. It is a free and confidential service that is available all across Massachusetts. Emergency help for Returning citizens in Massachusetts is available if they are facing eviction, homelessness, unemployment, or any other crisis situations. Simply dial 2-1-1 or visit Mass 211 to get emergency assistance near you.

Bottom Line

Grants and reentry programs in Massachusetts help formerly incarcerated individuals to secure housing, gain education, and find employment. There are organizations like Justice 4 Housing and Community Resources for Justice that eliminate housing and reentry barriers, whereas your education programs like MassReconnect and MassEducate covers tuition and other mandatory educational fees. MassHire helps felons to connect with training and jobs making them financially stable. It is important to identify the program according to your need, gather documents and apply as early as possible. Everyone needs a second chance, but utilizing it is up to you.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Can felons get housing grants in Massachusetts?

Yes, felons in Massachusetts can qualify for housing grants and rental assistance programs like RAFT.  Organizations like Justice 4 Housing and Pine Street Inn also offer help with housing to those individuals who are facing homelessness or housing instability.

Does Massachusetts automatically deny grants to people with felony convictions?

No. Most of the Massachusetts state-funded programs do not deny applicants due to felony conviction. Eligibility is mainly based on income, residency, and program-specific criteria.

How can a felon apply for emergency rental assistance in Massachusetts?

Felons in Massachusetts can apply for emergency rental assistance through the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition program using the Massachusetts Housing Help Hub. Applicants need to provide documents including proof of income, housing crisis documentation, and identification.

Are there free college grants for felons in Massachusetts?

Yes, there are programs like MassReconnect and MassEducate that offer help to the eligible residents by covering tuition and other educational costs. Individuals with felony convictions need to meet residency, age, and enrollment requirements.

Can felons receive Pell Grants in Massachusetts?

Yes. Felons in Massachusetts can qualify for the Pell Grant through approved Prison Education Programs under the Second Chance Pell initiative. The Pell Grant can be used to cover for tuition, books, and required coursework.

What job training programs are available for felons in Massachusetts?

Job training programs for felons in Massachusetts are available through MassHire Career Centers and state re-entry workforce development grants. The services offer help with resume assistance, job placement, apprenticeships, and vocational training programs.

Can felons get food and cash assistance in Massachusetts?

Felons can get food assistance through SNAP and cash assistance by applying for the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC). A felony conviction does not automatically prevent someone from receiving benefits.

How can a felon seal or expunge a criminal record in Massachusetts?

A felon can seal or expunge a criminal record in Massachusetts after a waiting period through legal aid organizations like Greater Boston Legal Services. GBLS offers help with housing or employment discrimination cases and CORI sealing.