Bill > H1467

This bill aims to increase college financial aid access by requiring all Massachusetts high school students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before graduating, with flexible opt-out provisions. Students can be exempted if a parent/guardian signs a waiver form or if the student signs their own waiver if they are 18 or legally emancipated. The bill mandates that schools make good faith efforts to help families complete the FAFSA, including providing personalized communications in their preferred language. To support this initiative, the bill establishes a FAFSA Trust Fund administered by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, which can accept public and private funds to help school districts implement the program, with a focus on underserved and economically disadvantaged communities. Schools must annually report FAFSA completion data, broken down by various demographic categories. The bill includes provisions to ensure transparency in fund usage and requires the commissioner to submit an annual report detailing the fund's activities, sources of funding, expenditures, and future projections. The FAFSA requirement will take effect in October 2026, while the trust fund will be established in October 2025.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1467