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SD 300

An Act relative to debt-free public higher education

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jo Comerford and 8 co-sponsors

The bill creates a state-funded grant program to cover tuition and mandatory fees for eligible Massachusetts residents attending public colleges, universities, and vocational progr

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Bill Summary · SD 300

Summary: An Act relative to debt-free public higher education (Senate Docket No. 300 / Senate No. 929)

Timeframe and status
- Type: Proposed Massachusetts statute
- Session: One Hundred Ninety-Fourth General Court (2025-2026)
- Introduced: January 10, 2025
- Title: An Act relative to debt-free public higher education
- Purpose: Establish a state policy guaranteeing debt-free public higher education for Massachusetts residents and create a state-funded grant program to cover tuition and mandatory fees at public colleges, universities, and public vocational/technical programs.

Purpose and policy intent
- Declares as state policy that free public higher education should be guaranteed as a right for all residents.
- Seeks to reduce or eliminate student debt associated with attendance at public higher education and public vocational training programs in Massachusetts.

Key provisions and how the plan would work
- Definitions and eligibility
- Eligible Student: Any person admitted to a Massachusetts public college, university, or other public certificate, vocational, or adult education program; enrolled full-time or part-time; has attended a Massachusetts high school for at least 3 years and graduated (or equivalent) or is currently enrolled and qualifies for in-state tuition under federal rules. Nonimmigrant aliens are excluded.
- The board confirms that this is a state-law framework under 8 U.S.C. 1621(d).

  • Grant program (administered by the Board of Higher Education)

    • The Board shall create a grant program to pay the equivalent of tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students at any Massachusetts public higher education institution or public certificate/ vocational program.
    • Pell-eligible students shall receive additional grants to cover other costs of attendance (room and board, books and supplies, transportation, personal expenses) as calculated by the enrolling institution.
    • The grant is designed to supplement, not replace, existing state, institutional, or federal aid (including FAFSA-directed aid). The Board must issue regulations ensuring the program does not reduce eligibility for other aid.

  • Scope and administration

    • Eligible institutions: All public higher education and public vocational training institutions in Massachusetts; no restrictions on academic programs.
    • Outreach and accountability: The Board must provide annual notices of eligibility to all eligible students and to new graduates from Massachusetts high schools or GED programs.
    • Recordkeeping: The Board shall maintain a database of current and potential eligible students.

  • Regulatory and implementation timeline

    • The Board of Higher Education is tasked with promulgating regulations governing the program and its interaction with other aid programs.
    • No specific funding amount or effective date is stated in the text excerpt; implementation relies on enacted appropriations and regulatory timelines.

Impact and key considerations
- Beneficiaries: Massachusetts residents who meet eligibility criteria and attend public higher education or public vocational programs.
- Financial: Would require state funding to cover tuition and mandatory fees, with additional funds for cost-of-attendance components for Pell-eligible students.
- Equity and access: Broad eligibility aims to reduce debt burdens and improve access to public higher education for in-state students, subject to regulatory controls to prevent aid stacking or loss of other aid.

Notes
- The bill references a prior similar filing (Senate No. 823 of 2023-2024) and is presented as “debt-free public higher education” in the 2025-2026 session.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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