The Senate Budget Proposal - A Step Forward in Educational Access
Constructive Conversations Pave the Way for Reform
Over the past several months, we have been actively presenting our research-backed recommendations about the advantages and drawbacks of a universal last-dollar tuition-free program. Though the program's straightforward messaging, cost-effectiveness, and potential to reverse declining community college enrollment are commendable, our primary concern lies with its last-dollar allocation method. This approach is unlikely to offer significant new financial support to lower-income students, failing to tackle the primary obstacle they face in completing their education. We have stressed that access to education must do more than just open doors—it should also establish a clear and feasible pathway to success.
A Responsive Legislative Approach
While the details of the MassEducate initiative in the Senate budget proposal are not entirely what we had hoped for, we are nonetheless encouraged and grateful that the Senate has acknowledged our concerns.They have proposed to address financial and non-financial barriers to student persistence and completion through new and expanded programs. Specifically, they propose an investment of $28.3 million to support students at risk of non-completion, including $18.3 million for wraparound support services (known as SUCCESS) and a new $10 million grant to assist those facing costs that prevent them from persisting in their education. These efforts demonstrate a proactive approach to closing the identified gaps, thus facilitating a more attainable and supportive path to graduation.
Additionally, the increased investment in MassGrant Plus Expansion is particularly welcome. We have been vocal about the need for a strategy that addresses affordability not only at the community college level but also extends to four-year institutions. This broader approach is vital for ensuring that all students have access to affordable, high-quality higher education across the state.
Critical Disparities Remain: A Call for Deeper Reform
Despite these positive developments, the battle for equity is far from over. The funding allocation from MASSEducate would starkly favor higher-income students, who could receive up to $6,600, that is, five times more aid than their lowest-income peers, who are eligible for only a $1,200 stipend. Further, our analysis with a racial equity lens shows that for every dollar received by a student of color from MASSEducate, a white student would receive $1.45—45% more. This regressive allocation not only violates principles of fairness but also fails to remove undue burden on economically disadvantaged students. There is a pressing need to recalibrate our approach to grant allocation to ensure equitable opportunities for all students, irrespective of their financial or racial background.
We are, however, pleased and thankful to hear from our ongoing conversations with decision-makers that this is only the initial phase of larger higher education reforms. Legislators have expressed a strong interest in continuing to expand access, affordability, and success in higher education. We remain optimistic about our continued collaboration with a responsive legislature committed to addressing these critical issues and driving meaningful change.
Inclusivity in Action: Support for Undocumented Students
Lastly, we must once again commend the legislature for the enactment of the Tuition Equity law last year, which broadened access to in-state tuition rates and state financial aid for undocumented students. The profound impact of this law is evident in a less recognized aspect: through the expansion of MassGrant Plus, low-income undocumented students, who are ineligible for federal financial aid, are now able to receive state aid that fully covers their tuition and fees, as well as providing a stipend for books at both two-year and four-year public institutions.
Summary of Higher Education Investment in Proposed Senate Budget FY25:
Investments:
Universal Tuition-Free Community College - MASSEducate - $117. 5 million
A Universal last-dollar tuition-free for community college students, this includes $75.5 million for the expansion of existing tuition-free program, $24 million for the continuation of MASSReconnect, and $18 million for the continuation of the tuition-free nursing program.
Program details:
Last-dollar grant covers the portion of the tuition and fees that are not already covered by existing financial aid
An additional $1,200 stipend for books and supplies for students who make 125% or less of median income in the state
Pell-eligible students are already eligible for a books stipend through MassGrant Plus so this program will provide a new $1,200 stipend for those students towards other costs of attendance.
The Student Persistence Fund - $10 million
A new Student Persistence Fund will be created for students at CCS and State Universities who face cost barriers putting them at risk of stopping out.
SUCCESS Program - $18.3 million
Increased investment for Supporting Urgent Community College Equity through Student Services, or SUCCESS, grants to community colleges to provide wraparound supports and services to improve outcomes for their most vulnerable populations.
MassGrant Plus Expansion - $105 million
Increased investment in the MassGrant Plus Expansion which provides last-dollar tuition-free grants for low-to-moderate income resident students attending Massachusetts public state universities.
State Grants and Scholarships - $175.2 million
Same level investment in existing state grants and scholarship programs.
Efforts to continue higher education reform:
Public Higher Education Credit Transfer Program: New policy directives to study future paths to success for the Commonwealth’s students. It directs the Department of Higher Education (DHE) to improve the credit transfer pathway between two- and four-year institutions so students can easily transfer to a public 4-year institution.
Higher Education Quality and Affordability Commission: The creation of a special commission for the purposes of studying and making recommendations on improving quality and affordability of higher education in the commonwealth, including state financial assistance programs for students domiciled in the commonwealth and attending the university of Massachusetts segment or the state university segment.