Bill
S 411
Creates MassGrant, a Massachusetts need-based undergraduate grant program with early eligibility, streamlined digital applications, and independent appeals to boost college access.
Note on source materials
- The document you provided includes conflicting metadata (title and jurisdiction referencing a "New York City truth in budgeting act" and procedural entries) but the full bill text is for a Massachusetts measure titled "An Act to modernize financial aid access" that creates a "MassGrant" program. This summary focuses on the substantive text included (MassGrant modernization in Massachusetts Chapter 15A).
Summary — Purpose
- Establishes and modernizes a statewide, need‑based undergraduate grant program called "MassGrant" administered by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education to improve access to college by simplifying eligibility, improving early notification, modernizing application systems, and strengthening appeals and oversight.
Key provisions
- Definitions: Sets criteria for "eligible institution" (located in MA, degree‑granting, NE regional accreditation, physical campus in MA, ≥10 years of continuous operation, borrower default rate below national average, and compliance with consumer protection).
- MassGrant program administration: Board of Higher Education to set eligibility, award amounts, and distribution procedures.
- Student eligibility: Must be a MA resident (≥1 year), U.S. citizen or permanent resident, enrolled/accepted as full/part‑time undergrad, demonstrate financial need, maintain satisfactory academic progress, have no prior bachelor's, and meet selective service if applicable.
- Early eligibility determination: Students may establish initial eligibility as early as sophomore year of high school based on family income (state tax returns), household size, number of family members in college, cost of attendance, disability status, housing/cost‑of‑living data, and other factors.
- Award structure: Annual maximums set by available appropriations; awards prorated by enrollment and expected family contribution; adjusted to institution cost of attendance; renewable up to five years if need and progress continue.
- Board duties: Set income thresholds aligned with regional cost of living, provide early notification procedures, appeals process, counselor training, and public tools (eligibility calculators, guidance).
- Digital system (Section 9C): Department to create an accessible, multilingual, mobile‑compatible application portal with real‑time status, live chat/help desk, low documentation burden, uptime and performance metrics, user testing, and annual reporting.
- Appeals and legal remedies (Section 9D): Expedited appeals — initial response within 10 business days, final determination within 30 calendar days; emergency reviews; electronic submissions; students may seek judicial review and recover lost aid, damages, and attorney fees if they prevail.
- Independent appeals review board (Section 9E): Members serve fixed terms, are independent of the department, include student/advocate representatives, and receive training. The bill also dedicates 5% of the MassGrant appropriation (partially truncated in text) for institutional capacity building and related purposes.
Who is affected
- Primary: Massachusetts undergraduate students (current and prospective), especially low‑ and moderate‑income residents, who would receive clearer, earlier notifications and access to need‑based grants.
- Institutions: Colleges and universities in MA meeting the eligibility criteria; some institutional funding/support (capacity grants) from a set share of appropriations.
- State agencies: Board of Higher Education and the implementing department responsible for digital systems, reporting, and appeals.
Fiscal and procedural notes
- Awards and many program features depend on annual appropriations; maximum award amounts are thus variable.
- Appeals timelines: 10 business days (initial), 30 calendar days (final).
- The bill requires annual system performance reporting to the board and legislature.
- The provided text is truncated in parts (particularly funding allocation details); final fiscal impacts would depend on appropriation language and implementation details.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
