CHICOPEE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Hampshire College students, who are facing an uncertain future after the school announced it would close as of the fall of 2026, now have a new option.

Elms College in Chicopee said it is ready and willing to take transfer students with new financial support and a plan to make the transition easier.

Hampshire College announced Tuesday it would be closing as of fall 2026, leaving many students looking for a new home. “These students will be eligible for all of the scholarships that any transfer student would be eligible for but, in addition, we’re also extending them a $5,000 Hampshire College grant to really assist them during this difficult time and this time of transition,” said Molly Miner, vice president of enrollment management and marketing at Elms College.

Elms is also offering a $4,000 residential grant and a $1,000 scholarship just for scheduling a visit.

In order to make the process as smooth as possible, Elms is offering a simple application process, guaranteed housing, and an accelerated financial aid review for all incoming transfers from Hampshire College.

Miner said the forms of aid speak to Elms’ larger message to its community. “The Western Mass. higher ed community is small and I think, while Hampshire and Elms are different institutions, we’re so similar in that we’re small and provide personalized academic environment to our students,” she explained.

Elms is not alone. The other members of the Five College Consortium of Massachusetts have said they would help former Hampshire College students finish their degrees. Miner said she recognizes that a transition like this can be hard and a big change, but any and all are welcome on campus. Interested students can reach out to Elms admissions to start the process.