Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S813 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1 of 1
2	2	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 262 FILED ON: 1/12/2023
3	3	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 813
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	Joanne M. Comerford
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
12	12	An Act improving access to affordable higher education.
13	13	_______________
14	14	PETITION OF:
15	15	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Joanne M. ComerfordHampshire, Franklin and Worcester 1 of 2
16	16	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 262 FILED ON: 1/12/2023
17	17	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 813
18	18	By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 813) of Joanne M. Comerford
19	19	for legislation to improve access to affordable higher education. Higher Education.
20	20	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
21	21	_______________
22	22	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
23	23	(2023-2024)
24	24	_______________
25	25	An Act improving access to affordable higher education.
26	26	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
27	27	of the same, as follows:
28	28	1 The department of higher education shall review programs of financial aid for students
29	29	2attending public institutions of higher education in the commonwealth, including grants, tuition
30	30	3waivers and loan programs. Based on the review, the department shall make recommendations,
31	31	4including legislation, for a comprehensive redesign and reform of the financial aid system to
32	32	5increase student access to higher education, improve affordability of higher education for
33	33	6students and families, and reduce opportunity and achievement gaps among students, particularly
34	34	7for students of color and disadvantaged populations.
35	35	8 The goals of the financial aid redesign and reform shall include:
36	36	9 (1) consolidating multiple overlapping assistance programs to improve efficiency and
37	37	10reduce duplication; 2 of 2
38	38	11 (2) reducing the burden of the application process and improving transparency,
39	39	12predictability and the ease of navigation for students and their families applying for and
40	40	13renewing financial assistance;
41	41	14 (3) lessening administrative costs, including the costs of oversight; and
42	42	15 (4) strengthening the ability of the general court to appropriately monitor, oversee and
43	43	16appropriate funds provided for student financial assistance.
44	44	17 In preparing its recommendations, the department shall consult with institutional
45	45	18financial aid officers, the office of student financial assistance and its financial aid advisory
46	46	19committee, groups representing students at the University of Massachusetts, state universities
47	47	20and community colleges, students and parents who navigate and use state financial aid, and other
48	48	21stakeholders. The department shall review the design of financial aid programs in other states
49	49	22and recommendations of experts. The department shall also solicit information from the chairs
50	50	23and vice chairs of the committee on higher education.
51	51	24 Before releasing its recommendations, the department shall hold an open public listening
52	52	25session to receive public input.
53	53	26 The department shall file its findings, recommendations and accompanying legislation, if
54	54	27any, with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and the joint committee on
55	55	28higher education not later than December 31, 2023.