For a scholarship program to provide financial assistance to Massachusetts students enrolled in and pursuing a program of higher education in any approved public or independent college, university, school of nursing, or any other approved institution furnishing a program of higher education; provided, that funds from this item may be expended on the administration of the scholarship program; provided further, that funds shall be expended to support students enrolled in the Commonwealth Commitment program; provided further, that funds may be expended to support students enrolled in programs designated by the board of higher education and the board of elementary and secondary education as Early College programs; provided further, that scholarships may be offered in collaboration with the Massachusetts Service Alliance to full-time students at any public institution of higher education who have completed a one-year service internship; provided, that funds from this item may be expended for services to enable and support continuous enrollment, course completion, and degree completion of low income and traditionally under-represented students; and provided further, that the commissioner of higher education, in coordination with the Massachusetts state scholarship office, shall adopt regulations governing the eligibility and the awarding of financial assistance; provided further, that not less than $1,500,000 shall be expended for a scholarship program to provide financial assistance to students from the commonwealth who: (i) are enrolled in and pursuing either an associate degree or certificate program at a municipal college; (ii) are age 25 or older as of the first day of classes; (iii) have not previously earned a college degree; and (iv) are enrolled in at least 6 credits; provided further, that the funds shall be used to cover any remaining tuition and fees, costs of books and supplies for any eligible student after all other sources of federal and state grant aid have been exhausted; provided further, that funds from this item may be expended on student support services, administration and the marketing of said scholarship program
