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SD 295

An Act relative to tuition waivers for children raised by a grandparent or other relative

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jo Comerford and 1 co-sponsor

Creates tuition waivers for Massachusetts public college students raised by grandparents or relatives, reducing costs for kinship care households.

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Bill Summary · SD 295

Legislative bill overview

SD 295 would establish tuition waivers at Massachusetts public universities and community colleges for students whose primary caregiver is a grandparent or other relative rather than a parent. The bill creates a formal pathway for these students to receive in-state tuition rates and potential fee waivers based on financial need, regardless of their legal guardianship status.

Why is this important

Approximately 2.7 million U.S. children live in grandparent-headed households, often due to parental incarceration, substance abuse, or death. These students frequently face financial barriers to higher education since they may not qualify for standard dependent benefits or in-state tuition, despite being long-term Massachusetts residents. The waiver would directly reduce educational costs for a vulnerable population and potentially increase college completion rates.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: Community colleges and universities would lose tuition revenue; the bill's cost to the state system is unclear without specific enrollment projections
  • Definitional scope: "Other relative" could be broadly interpreted, raising questions about who qualifies and potential for abuse or inconsistent application across institutions
  • Means-testing complexity: Determining financial need for students in kinship care situations may be administratively burdensome without clear income verification guidelines
  • Fairness concerns: Some may argue this creates preferential treatment compared to other low-income students not in kinship arrangements

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

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