1 of 1
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 610 FILED ON: 1/17/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 815
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Joanne M. Comerford
_________________
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 community college.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Joanne M. ComerfordHampshire, Franklin and Worcester 1 of 4
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 610 FILED ON: 1/17/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 815
By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 815) of Joanne M. Comerford
for legislation to improve access to affordable community college. Higher Education.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
_______________
An Act improving access to affordable community college.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 19 of chapter 15A of the General Laws is hereby amended by
2adding the following paragraph:-
3 Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, tuition and fee waivers under this section
4for students attending community college shall include courses that are not state-supported,
5including summer sessions, evening classes and online courses.
6 SECTION 2. Chapter 69 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
7section 1T the following section:-
8 Section 1U. (a) Before graduating from high school, each student shall complete and
9submit a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) form.
10 (b) A student shall not be required to comply with subsection (a) if the student’s parent or
11guardian, or school counselor submits a signed waiver form indicating that the parent or guardian 2 of 4
12understands the use and benefits of a FAFSA and declines to complete and submit a free FAFSA
13form; provided, that a student over age 18 may sign such waiver on the student’s own behalf.
14 (c) The commissioner of the department of elementary and secondary education shall
15determine procedures to implement this section, including any forms necessary under subsection
16(b). The procedures shall include processes to ensure compliance with federal law regarding
17confidentiality of family financial information and student educational information, including the
18Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g), and any other
19state or federal law relating to the privacy of student information. The commissioner shall direct
20high schools to provide information to students and parents on the value of completing the
21FAFSA form, including an explanation to each high school senior of the state-sponsored
22scholarships, financial aid and assistance available to students attending college or post-
23secondary education.
24 (d) The department of elementary and secondary education shall work with the office of
25student financial assistance of the department of higher education to inform high school students
26prior to their senior year on the availability of financial assistance for college and other post-
27secondary education and the role of the FAFSA form in accessing the assistance.
28 (e) Each school district shall report to the department of elementary and secondary
29education (i) the number of students who completed and submitted a financial aid application
30under subsection (a) and (ii) the number of students who received an exception from complying
31with subsection (a) under subsection (b). The department shall annually report data collected
32under this subsection, along with an analysis of the data, including trends. The report and 3 of 4
33analysis shall be provided to the secretary of education, the commissioner of higher education,
34the joint committee on education and shall be posted on the website of the department.
35 (f) The department of elementary and secondary education shall establish an advisory
36committee to advise the department in implementing this section. The advisory committee shall
37be composed of persons representing: (i) high school counselors; (ii) high school teachers and
38administrators; (iii) high school students and parents; (iv) higher education admissions and
39financial aid staff, from all segments of public higher education and private higher education
40institutions; and (v) the department of higher education. In implementing this section, the
41commissioner shall review the implementation of similar requirements in other states.
42 SECTION 3. The department of higher education, in consultation with department of
43elementary and secondary education, the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, and
44the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges shall develop materials, including an
45informational pamphlet and web site, to inform high school juniors and seniors of affordable and
46accessible higher educational opportunities, particularly opportunities at public community
47colleges. The materials shall include information highlighting the ease of the application process,
48including online applications and applications that do not require an application fee. The
49materials shall provide information on the availability of financial aid and the financial aid
50application process. The materials shall include a map showing the location of community
51colleges in the commonwealth.
52 The materials may include other information as determined by the department of higher
53education. In preparing the materials, the department of higher education shall consult with
54admissions and financial aid counselors at community colleges and students in high school and 4 of 4
55community college from various regions of the commonwealth. The online materials shall
56include a form to allow students and parents to request further information and provide feedback
57regarding the web site.
58 The department of elementary and secondary education shall distribute the materials to
59all high school juniors and seniors in the commonwealth.