How Federal Cuts to Student Supports Could Impact Massachusetts

A Fact Sheet Series

June 2025

As Massachusetts takes bold steps to make college more affordable and accessible—through initiatives like MassReconnect, MassEducate, and expanded state financial aid—concurrent threats at the federal level could undermine this progress. Proposed federal budget cuts and policy shifts would significantly reduce or eliminate key student aid programs that tens of thousands of Massachusetts students rely on to enroll, persist, and complete their degrees.

These programs are about more than just dollars—they are proven drivers of student success. Decades of research show that need-based aid and student support services improve enrollment, increase credit accumulation, and raise graduation rates, particularly for low-income and first-generation students.

This four-part factsheet series outlines the scale of potential harm:

  • Pell Grants: Proposed eligibility restrictions—such as excluding part-time students and redefining full-time status—could jeopardize aid for up to 45,000 Massachusetts students, with ripple effects on the state’s tuition-free programs.

  • TRIO Programs: Over $22.9 million in funding across 61 programs would be eliminated, dismantling critical support services for more than 20,000 first-generation and low-income students.

  • Federal Work-Study: An 80% funding cut and cost-shifting to employers would severely reduce on-campus job opportunities for over 23,000 students, threatening both financial stability and career development pathways.

  • Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG): Elimination of this program would remove nearly $30 million in need-based aid from 43,000 of the state’s lowest-income students.

Together, these cuts would not only increase the financial burden on students and institutions—they would also compromise access and opportunity, reduce student persistence, and place greater pressure on already stretched state programs. As Massachusetts works to close equity gaps and strengthen its workforce, protecting and complementing federal investments in higher education will be essential to delivering on the promise of college success for all.