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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 12, 2004

                         FIRSTFED AMERICA BANCORP, INC.
                         ------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

      Delaware                      1-12305                  04-3331237
      --------                      --------                 ----------
(State or other jurisdiction       (Commission              (IRS Employer
 of incorporation)                 File Number)             Identification No.)

                 ONE FIRSTFED PARK, Swansea, Massachusetts 02777
                 -----------------------------------------------
              (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:         (508) 679-8181

                                 Not Applicable
                                 --------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


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ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
         ---------------------------------

      (a)   Not Applicable.
      (b)   Not Applicable.
      (c)   The following Exhibit is included with this Report:

      Exhibit No.    Description
      -----------    -----------
      99.1           Notice sent to directors and executive officers of FIRSTFED
                     AMERICA BANCORP, INC. on March 12, 2004

ITEM 11. TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF TRADING UNDER REGISTRANT'S EMPLOYEE BENEFIT
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
         PLANS.
         -----

      This Form 8-K is being filed to comply with the SEC requirement that
notice of a covered blackout period under the Employer Stock Fund of the First
Federal Savings Bank 401(k) Savings Plan be given to our directors and executive
officers and also be furnished to the SEC under cover of Form 8-K. The notice
being sent to those persons on March 12, 2004 is being filed as Exhibit 99.1 to
this Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference into this Item.



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                                    SIGNATURE

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                FIRSTFED AMERICA BANCORP, INC.




Date: March 12, 2004            By: /s/ Robert F. Stoico
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Robert F. Stoico
                                    Chairman, President and Chief Executive
                                    Officer


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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit 99.1    Notice, dated March 12, 2004.