Education (Higher Education)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 24, 2025

S 929: An Act relative to debt-free public higher education

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 929) of James B. Eldridge, Vanna Howard, Jacob R. Oliveira, Mike Connolly and other members of the General Court for legislation to guarantee debt-free public higher education. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationGuarantees debt-free public higher education, directly expanding access and reducing financial barriers for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 5, 2026

H 1442: An Act relative to the expansion of the valedictorian tuition waiver program

By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1442) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others relative to the expansion of the valedictorian tuition waiver program in the public system of higher education. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition waiver for valedictorians, increasing access to public higher education by reducing costs for top students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 17, 2026

H 1436: An Act relative to debt-free public higher education

By Representatives Higgins of Leominster and Gentile of Sudbury, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1436) of Natalie M. Higgins, Carmine Lawrence Gentile and others for legislation to establish a grant program to pay the equivalent of tuition and mandatory fees to eligible students at Massachusetts public higher education institutions. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates grant program covering tuition/fees at public colleges, directly increasing access and reducing financial barriers for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 3228: An Act relative to tuition tax credit

By Representative Rogers of Norwood, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3228) of John H. Rogers relative to a tax credit for tuition and fees for higher education. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tuition tax credit, offering tax relief for education expenses, aligning with support indicators for middle-income families.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationTax credit for higher education tuition directly increases affordability and access to postsecondary education, aligning with support indicators for educational access and funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 13, 2025

S 2702: An Act relative to the endowment match program

Senate, November 13, 2025 -- The committee on Higher Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 919) of Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to modernize the endowment match program for community colleges; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 935) of Edward J. Kennedy for legislation to reform institutional eligibility requirements for state-based financial aid; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 936) of Edward J. Kennedy for legislation relative to the endowment match program; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 948) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation relative to the endowment match program, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2702).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationModernizes endowment match program for community colleges, enhancing state funding mechanisms for higher education institutions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Nov 18, 2025

H 4750: An Act to build resilient infrastructure to generate higher-ed transformation

This bill allocates $1.25 billion in state funds for capital improvements at Massachusetts public higher education institutions (state universities, community colleges, and vocational schools). It directly affects these institutions by funding deferred maintenance, modernization, decarbonization, lab upgrades, and facility renovations to support educational missions and regional economic development. Key provisions include $80 million for energy efficiency projects, $100 million for repurposing campus buildings into housing, and $120 million for student support facilities and collaborations between community colleges and vocational schools. The bill requires annual reporting on project progress and outcomes, such as student participation in collaborative programs, to ensure accountability.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $1.25B for capital improvements at public higher ed institutions, including deferred maintenance, modernization, and lab upgrades to support educational missions.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAllocates $80M for energy efficiency projects and explicitly includes decarbonization in facility upgrades, directly advancing clean energy infrastructure goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Energy Efficiency

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3267: An Act relative to advanced placement examinations and college credit

This bill requires all public Massachusetts colleges to accept Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores of 3, 4, or 5 for college credit toward degree requirements. It directly affects public colleges and students who take AP exams, ensuring they can earn credit without colleges arbitrarily demanding higher scores (like 4 or 5). Colleges must justify requiring scores above 3 with evidence, post clear credit policies online, and report practices annually to the state higher education department. The law aims to standardize credit acceptance and improve transparency for students transferring credits between institutions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires public colleges to accept AP scores of 3+ for credit, expanding student access to college credit without arbitrary score barriers, directly supporting educational access and equity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3614: An Act protecting public higher education student information

This bill (HD 3614) prevents Massachusetts public colleges and universities from being forced to disclose certain student records. It specifically protects records classified as "education records" under federal privacy law (FERPA), including information schools designate as "directory information" (like names, addresses, or academic details). The law ensures these institutions cannot be compelled to share such student data, aligning with existing federal privacy standards. It directly affects public higher education institutions in Massachusetts and the privacy of their students' personal information.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student privacy in higher education by preventing forced disclosure of FERPA-covered records, aligning with federal standards and directly safeguarding educational data.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects student data privacy by preventing disclosure of FERPA-covered records, aligning with federal privacy standards under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Data Privacy

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3819: An Act relative to tuition tax credit

This bill creates a state tax credit for higher education expenses. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit equal to 20% of qualified tuition and fees paid for higher education, up to a maximum of $5,000 per tax year. Any unused portion of the credit can be carried forward and applied to taxes for the next seven years. The credit directly affects individuals or families paying for college tuition and fees, reducing their state tax liability based on actual education costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing state tax liability for education expenses, aligning with tax relief indicators for Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax credit reducing college costs, increasing access to higher education through direct financial support for tuition expenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 238: An Act promoting educational awareness and opportunity

This bill requires public colleges and universities to provide prospective and current students with specific financial and career data when applying for or changing a major. Institutions must share four key pieces of information: the estimated total cost of completing the major, average student debt for recent graduates, job placement outcomes (including unemployment rates and further education enrollment), and average 3-year graduate salaries. The data must be provided at the point of major selection or change, directly affecting students making educational decisions. This aims to improve transparency about the financial and career outcomes tied to different academic programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires colleges to disclose financial/career data for informed student decisions, enhancing transparency and educational opportunity in higher education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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