Bill > S2755

This bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education to investigate and develop a comprehensive plan for providing debt-free public higher education in the state. Specifically, the department is tasked with conducting an in-depth study to determine the necessary steps and costs to implement debt-free college, which is defined as enabling eligible students with unmet financial needs to attend public institutions without taking on loan burdens and covering basic living expenses such as housing, food, child care, transportation, and healthcare. The department must produce a detailed report within one year of the bill's enactment, which will include a definition of eligible students, a method for calculating the total annual cost of debt-free college, a numerical cost projection for the next three years, an analysis of which student populations would benefit most, and recommendations for funding and implementing the program. The department is also instructed to research best practices from other municipalities, states, and countries with similar public college programs and may contract with a third party to assist in completing the report. The final report will be submitted to the state legislature's clerks, committees on ways and means, and the joint committee on higher education.