1596-2501 Free Community College

For a Free Community College Program for students who: (i) are enrolled in and pursuing a program of higher education at a public community college in Massachusetts; (ii) have completed a free application for federal student aid or an equivalent application for state-funded financial assistance; (iii) have not earned a prior baccalaureate degree, or the equivalent; and (vi) are enrolled in at least 6 credits; provided, that funds shall be expended to cover any remaining tuition and fees due and an allowance for the cost of books, supplies and other expenses for any eligible student after all other sources of federal and state grant aid have been exhausted; provided further, that students whose household income is at or below 125 per cent of the state median income shall be granted an allowance of up to $1,200 per academic year for books, supplies and other expenses for attending a community college program; provided, however, that said allowance shall not preclude students from receiving assistance through MassGrant or MassGrant Plus, subject to the regulations of said programs; provided further, that the commissioner of higher education, in consultation with the executive office of education, shall adopt guidelines governing eligibility for and the awarding of financial assistance under this item; provided further, that funds from this item may be expended on student support services, administration and marketing of said scholarship program; provided further, that students aged 25 or older may be referred to as MassReconnect students; provided further, that funds from this item may be expended to create awareness and conduct public outreach related to MassReconnect; provided further, that funds may be expended for programs or activities during the summer months; provided further, that tuition and fees at public community colleges shall not increase more than the lesser of: (1) the ratio of the value of the implicit price deflator for state and local government purchases in the third quarter of the prior fiscal year to its value in the third quarter of the fiscal year 2 years prior; and (2) 1.045; provided further, that the department shall analyze the faculty and staff capacity to meet the needs of the program established in this item, to ensure a sufficient workforce; provided further, that not later than February 2, 2026, the department of higher education, shall submit a report to the joint committee on higher education and the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing program uptake, funding distribution, and the metrics and benchmarks being used to measure program success including, but not limited to: (a) enrollment; (b) retention; (c) barriers to student participation; and (d) demographic data related to program participants; and provided further, that not later than June 1, 2026, the department of higher education shall submit information to the executive office for administration and finance, the board of higher education, the joint committee on higher education and the house and senate committees on ways and means on the number of students participating in the program at each community college

Education and Transportation Fund

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