SENATE DOCKET, NO. 610        FILED ON: 1/17/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 815

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Joanne M. Comerford

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act improving access to affordable community college.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 610        FILED ON: 1/17/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 815

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act improving access to affordable community college.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 19 of chapter 15A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:-

Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, tuition and fee waivers under this section for students attending community college shall include courses that are not state-supported, including summer sessions, evening classes and online courses.

SECTION 2. Chapter 69 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 1T the following section:-

Section 1U. (a) Before graduating from high school, each student shall complete and submit a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) form.

(b) A student shall not be required to comply with subsection (a) if the student’s parent or guardian, or school counselor submits a signed waiver form indicating that the parent or guardian understands the use and benefits of a FAFSA and declines to complete and submit a free FAFSA form; provided, that a student over age 18 may sign such waiver on the student’s own behalf.

(c) The commissioner of the department of elementary and secondary education shall determine procedures to implement this section, including any forms necessary under subsection (b). The procedures shall include processes to ensure compliance with federal law regarding confidentiality of family financial information and student educational information, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g), and any other state or federal law relating to the privacy of student information. The commissioner shall direct high schools to provide information to students and parents on the value of completing the FAFSA form, including an explanation to each high school senior of the state-sponsored scholarships, financial aid and assistance available to students attending college or post-secondary education.

(d) The department of elementary and secondary education shall work with the office of student financial assistance of the department of higher education to inform high school students prior to their senior year on the availability of financial assistance for college and other post-secondary education and the role of the FAFSA form in accessing the assistance.

(e) Each school district shall report to the department of elementary and secondary education (i) the number of students who completed and submitted a financial aid application under subsection (a) and (ii) the number of students who received an exception from complying with subsection (a) under subsection (b). The department shall annually report data collected under this subsection, along with an analysis of the data, including trends. The report and analysis shall be provided to the secretary of education, the commissioner of higher education, the joint committee on education and shall be posted on the website of the department.

(f) The department of elementary and secondary education shall establish an advisory committee to advise the department in implementing this section. The advisory committee shall be composed of persons representing: (i) high school counselors; (ii) high school teachers and administrators; (iii) high school students and parents; (iv) higher education admissions and financial aid staff, from all segments of public higher education and private higher education institutions; and (v) the department of higher education. In implementing this section, the commissioner shall review the implementation of similar requirements in other states.

SECTION 3. The department of higher education, in consultation with department of elementary and secondary education, the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, and the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges shall develop materials, including an informational pamphlet and web site, to inform high school juniors and seniors of affordable and accessible higher educational opportunities, particularly opportunities at public community colleges. The materials shall include information highlighting the ease of the application process, including online applications and applications that do not require an application fee. The materials shall provide information on the availability of financial aid and the financial aid application process. The materials shall include a map showing the location of community colleges in the commonwealth.

The materials may include other information as determined by the department of higher education. In preparing the materials, the department of higher education shall consult with admissions and financial aid counselors at community colleges and students in high school and community college from various regions of the commonwealth. The online materials shall include a form to allow students and parents to request further information and provide feedback regarding the web site.

The department of elementary and secondary education shall distribute the materials to all high school juniors and seniors in the commonwealth.