Fee waivers, sliding scales and scholarships published by the
organizations that run these programs — each with who is eligible and the page
that decides it. Nothing here is estimated from a family's income, and a program with
no aid published simply does not appear. A few are awards toward college rather than
help with a program fee; those are labelled College scholarship.
12 schemes serve Carlisle families.
Financial aid
Carlisle Public Schools
Free & Reduced Price School Meals
Carlisle Public Schools' Meal Benefit application determines eligibility for free or reduced-price school breakfast and lunch for students in the district.
- What it covers
- Free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch for students at Carlisle Public School; qualifying also waives the grades 7-8 bus fee.
- Who is eligible
- Households at or below the federal income guidelines for free or reduced-price meals, or enrolled in SNAP, TANF or FDPIR, or with children who are foster, homeless, migrant or runaway.
Fee waiver
Carlisle Public Schools
Grades 7-8 Bus Fee Waiver
Carlisle Public Schools waives the grades 7-8 bus fee ($450 for the first rider, $225 for each additional rider) for students who qualify for Free or Reduced School Meals.
- What it covers
- Waiver of the grades 7-8 bus fee ($450 first rider, $225 each additional rider for 2026-27).
- Who is eligible
- Students who qualify for Free or Reduced Price School Meals.
Scholarship
Concord Carlisle Foundation
Campership Fund
The Concord Carlisle Foundation's Campership Fund helps families in Concord and Carlisle who could not otherwise afford summer camp, prioritising working parents who contribute part of the cost.
- What it covers
- Scholarships toward the cost of summer camps for children.
- Who is eligible
- Families in Concord and Carlisle who would otherwise not be able to afford summer camp; priority to working parents and families who contribute part of the cost. Apply in spring through the Community Services Coordinator / Carlisle Council on Aging and Human Services.
Financial aid
Concord Carlisle Foundation
When In Need (WIN) Fund
The Concord Carlisle Foundation's When In Need Fund provides one-time emergency funding for people in crisis, covering temporary housing, rent, heating bills or emergency dental surgery.
- What it covers
- One-time emergency funding for essentials (temporary housing, rent, heating, medical/dental costs, transport passes) for residents in crisis.
- Who is eligible
- Individuals or families in crisis in Concord and Carlisle, referred through the Carlisle Council on Aging and Human Services or other community agencies.
College scholarship
The Scholarship Fund of Concord and Carlisle
The Scholarship Fund of Concord and Carlisle
The Scholarship Fund of Concord and Carlisle awards need-based scholarships for undergraduate study to current or past residents of Concord or Carlisle, requiring a FAFSA Submission Summary.
- What it covers
- Need-based scholarships for post-secondary (undergraduate) study. Also administers affiliate awards including the Carlisle Police Association Scholarship, the Concord Carlisle Foundation Cornerstone Initiative Scholarship and Concord Lions/Rotary club scholarships.
- Who is eligible
- Current or past residents of Concord or Carlisle, or students who attended school in either town, who have completed secondary school and demonstrate unmet financial need (FAFSA Submission Summary required). Seniors apply by May 1; current college students by April 1.
Financial aid
Carlisle Council on Aging and Human Services (COAHS)
Emergency Financial Assistance
The Carlisle Council on Aging and Human Services offers emergency financial assistance from grant and gift funds for essential car repairs, unexpected medical bills and temporary housing costs.
- What it covers
- Grants and gift funds for essentials such as car repairs, unexpected medical bills and temporary housing costs.
- Who is eligible
- Carlisle residents of all ages in need; apply through the COAHS.
Financial aid
Carlisle Council on Aging and Human Services (COAHS)
Local Fuel Assistance Fund
The Carlisle Council on Aging and Human Services runs a Fuel Assistance Fund, supported by grants and gifts, helping any household in need with winter heating costs, even those over LIHEAP limits.
- What it covers
- Help with winter heating costs.
- Who is eligible
- Any Carlisle household in need, including those who do not qualify for LIHEAP as well as those who need additional assistance.
Financial aid
Community Teamwork (administered for Carlisle)
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP / Fuel Assistance)
The federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps eligible households with winter heating costs from November 1 to April 30 and is administered for Carlisle by Community Teamwork.
- What it covers
- Federal help with winter heating costs from November 1 to April 30; approval also gives a discount on National Grid/Eversource bills.
- Who is eligible
- Based on household size and gross annual household income (brochure's 2023 limits: 1 person $42,411; family of four $81,561). Renters with heat included may still qualify.
Financial aid
Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (local help via COAHS)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides monthly food-purchasing assistance to eligible households based on income limits, with local application help through the Carlisle COAHS.
- What it covers
- Monthly assistance with food purchasing.
- Who is eligible
- Households meeting income limits (brochure cites 2022 limits of $27,180 for an individual, $36,624 for a couple and $55,500 for a family of four).
Financial aid
Open Table, in partnership with Carlisle COAHS
Healthy Helpings Meal Box
Open Table, in partnership with the Carlisle Council on Aging and Human Services, distributes groceries and prepared meals twice per month to residents in financial need.
- What it covers
- Groceries and prepared meals distributed twice per month.
- Who is eligible
- Carlisle residents in financial need.
Financial aid
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA)
Massachusetts child care financial assistance subsidises child care and before/after-school programs, paid directly to providers, with many families having no parent fee.
- What it covers
- Subsidized child care and before/after-school time programs, paid directly to providers; many families have no parent fee.
- Who is eligible
- Massachusetts families, based on who is in the family, household income, certain expenses and 'service need'. Apply online at MyChildCareMA or through a family access administrator / Mass 211.
Financial aid
Commonwealth Corporation (Massachusetts)
YouthWorks
Commonwealth Corporation's YouthWorks places Massachusetts teens and young adults up to 25 in paid, short-term summer and school-year work experiences at public, private and nonprofit worksites.
- What it covers
- Paid short-term summer and school-year work experiences with soft-skills training for teens and young adults.
- Who is eligible
- Massachusetts teens and young adults up to age 25, placed through MassHire career centers and local YouthWorks programs.