Bill > S411

This bill establishes the MassGrant program, a comprehensive financial aid initiative designed to provide need-based grants to Massachusetts undergraduate students. The program creates detailed eligibility criteria, requiring students to be Massachusetts residents, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, enrolled in eligible in-state institutions, and demonstrating financial need. Students can establish initial eligibility during their sophomore year of high school, considering factors like family income, household size, college costs, and disability status. The bill mandates the creation of a user-friendly digital application system with mobile compatibility, real-time updates, and multilingual support. It also establishes an expedited appeals process with strict response timelines and creates an independent appeals review board to oversee the program. The legislation allocates a portion of the annual budget for institutional capacity building and administrative costs, and forms a Financial Aid Access Commission to review program data, analyze outcomes, and make policy recommendations. Importantly, the bill ensures a smooth transition by transferring funds from existing financial aid programs and guaranteeing that current aid recipients will continue to receive support. The entire MassGrant program must be fully implemented within one year of the act's passage, with various components like the digital system and appeals process being operational within 180 and 90 days, respectively.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S411