MASSACHUSETTS LAUNCHES MASSEDUCATE:
A BOLD STEP TOWARDS UNIVERSAL FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOSTON, MA – Massachusetts Senate leaders, including Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland), Senate Ways & Means Chair Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport), and the Senate Chair of the Committee on Higher Education Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), along with community advocates and business leaders, unveiled the MassEducate program as a part of the Senate’s FY25 budget. This proposal would provide tuition-free community college for all Massachusetts residents and aims to boost the state’s workforce and expand educational opportunities for everyone.
Senator Pavel Payano (D-Lawrence), an advocate for the Latino community and educational equity, supports this initiative, recognizing its potential to transform the higher education landscape for families throughout Massachusetts. “By offering free access to community college, we are making a strong investment in our local talent and providing opportunities for employers in need of skilled graduates,” said Senator Payano. “This initiative is essential for maintaining Massachusetts’ competitive edge and embodies a significant step forward in making education accessible to everyone.”
MassEducate will cover tuition and fees for all residents and offer up to $1,200 in stipends for books and supplies. Additional support for Pell-eligible students will increase the total support to $2,400 annually. The initiative also sustains existing educational programs and introduces new investments, including $18 million for free nursing programs and $24 million for community college for residents over 25.
A notable aspect of the initiative is the Student Persistence Fund, a $10 million investment aimed at aiding students facing unexpected life challenges that could impede their educational progress. Moreover, the Senate has committed $18.3 million to the SUCCESS Program, which bolsters support networks for community college students facing systemic barriers.
Jose Cervantes, a beneficiary of the MassReconnect program and a current computer science student at Northern Essex Community College, commented on the initiative’s broader impact: “This program is not only important because it will help alleviate financial worry for parents like me. It is important because it is an investment in the future of youth and the state of Massachusetts. There is no reason why jobs that require a high-paying college education can’t be filled by people from our own communities.”
Senator Payano is keen on ensuring the Latino community and all Massachusetts residents are aware of and can fully utilize the opportunities provided by MassEducate.
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