For MassReconnect, a scholarship program to provide financial assistance to students from the commonwealth who: (i) are enrolled in and pursuing a program of higher education at a public community college in the commonwealth; (ii) are not less than 25 years of age 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, that the funds shall be used to cover any remaining tuition and fees due and the cost 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 marketing of said scholarship program; provided further, that funds may be expended for programs or activities during the summer months; provided further, that the commissioner of higher education, in consultation with the executive office of education and the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges and in coordination with the Massachusetts state scholarship office, shall adopt guidelines governing the eligibility for and the awarding of financial assistance under this item; provided further, that not later than January 31, 2025, the department of higher education, in consultation with the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges, shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing 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 May 30, 2025, the department of higher education shall submit information to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the number of students participating in MassReconnect at each community college
| | Education and Transportation Fund | ............... | 100% |
