Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S848

Introduced

2/16/23

Refer

2/16/23

Caption

Establishing the Finish Line Scholarship Program

Impact

The implementation of the Finish Line Scholarship Program is poised to significantly impact state laws relating to higher education funding and access. By providing dedicated funding for tuition support, the bill seeks to alleviate financial burdens on students and facilitate timely degree completion. The Department of Higher Education is instructed to develop guidelines for eligibility and selection criteria, ensuring that the program aligns with broader educational goals such as increasing graduation rates and reducing achievement gaps among high-risk students.

Summary

Senate Bill S848 aims to establish the Finish Line Scholarship Program within Massachusetts. This initiative is designed to provide financial support in the form of scholarships to residents pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree at public colleges and universities in the state. Notably, the scholarships will cover the entire cost of tuition and fees for students in their second year or beyond—essentially addressing the financial needs of students who may already be enrolled but face economic hardships. This program targets residents whose family income is below the median income level in Massachusetts, thereby aiming to bridge financial gaps for low-income students.

Contention

While the program presents an opportunity to enhance access to higher education, there may be points of contention regarding the criteria utilized for selection and eligibility. The stipulations regarding income thresholds and the requirement for students to maintain acceptable grades could lead to debates about accessibility for the lowest-income families. Additionally, there is a provision stating that no funds from the scholarship program can be allocated to courses administered by non-public entities, which could restrict options for students seeking education at private institutions. As the program's structure is finalized, discussions regarding the adequacy of funding and the criteria for lottery selection—should there be insufficient funds—are likely to continue.

Latest S848 Activity

Companion Bills

MA S2646

Replaced by Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on Higher Education to make an investigation and study of certain current Senate documents relative to higher education matters.

Similar Bills

UT SB0107

Education Scholarship Amendments

CA AB2480

Income taxes: credit: Scholarship Tax Credit Program Act.

AL HB442

To create the Alabama Fits All Scholarship Program; require the State Board of Education to contract with a program manager to administer the program; to authorize the program manager to establish scholarship accounts on behalf of eligible students; to prohibit a program manager from accepting scholarship funds in certain circumstances; to require fiscal safeguards and accountability measures; to require eligible schools and service providers to meet certain standards to be eligible to receive scholarship funds; to authorize the program manager to distribute scholarship funds; to require the State Board of Education to provide limited oversight of the program manager, including an appeal process for the program manager's administrative decisions; to prohibit certain regulations of eligible schools and eligible service providers; to require criminal history background information checks for employees and officers of a program manager; to provide for program funding; and to require the program manager and the board to submit reports on the program to the Legislature.