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