Education (Student Financial Aid)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2026: An Act establishing the John F. Kennedy service scholarship program for student debt relief for peace corps, americorps, and commonwealth corps alumni

This bill creates the John F. Kennedy Service Scholarship program to provide student debt relief for Massachusetts residents who completed volunteer service with the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Massachusetts' Commonwealth Corps. Eligible applicants must be Massachusetts residents, have completed one approved volunteer program, work for Massachusetts state/municipal government, a federal office in Massachusetts, or a Massachusetts nonprofit, and earn below the state median income. Qualified individuals would receive grants covering 100% of their outstanding student debt, up to a maximum of $5,000 per person. The program's implementation would be managed by a state agency, subject to annual funding appropriations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides student debt relief for Peace Corps/AmeriCorps alumni, expanding higher education access by reducing financial barriers for graduates entering public service roles.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 23, 2025

S 921: An Act to facilitate student financial assistance

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 921) of Joanne M. Comerford and Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to facilitate student financial assistance and establish the FAFSA Trust Fund. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes FAFSA Trust Fund to facilitate student financial assistance, directly increasing funding access for higher education students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 687: An Act relative to graduate student loan deductions

By Mr. Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1981) of Ryan C. Fattman and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to graduate student loan deductions. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax deductions for graduate student loans, providing tax relief to students, aligning with fiscal support indicators under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tax deductions for graduate student loans, improving affordability and expanding higher education access for graduate students.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2030: An Act excluding the Segal Americorps Educational Award from taxable income

HD 2030 excludes the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award from state income tax. This bill directly affects AmeriCorps members who receive this award, which they can use for education costs, training, or qualified student loan repayment. It amends the state tax code to specifically list the award as non-taxable income, aligning state treatment with federal policy. The change applies to the state tax treatment of this federal benefit, which is already non-taxable at the federal level.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes education award from state tax, providing tax relief for AmeriCorps members without increasing state revenue burden or altering budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExcludes Segal AmeriCorps education award from state tax, enhancing accessibility of federal education benefits for recipients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3575: An Act establishing a special fund for the festival of the hills receipts for the town of Conway

HD 3575 creates a special fund for the Town of Conway to hold proceeds from its annual "Festival of the Hills," along with grants and local appropriations. The fund's interest counts as general town revenue, and any unused balance rolls over yearly. The Festival of the Hills Committee can use the money to cover festival expenses, and after that, any remaining funds (except those from local appropriations) may be used to award scholarships to Conway high school seniors for education or training. This bill directly affects Conway's local budget management and scholarship program for its students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates festival surplus funds for Conway high school senior scholarships, directly supporting educational access and funding for students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3861: An Act to encourage, and improve the level of availability of nursing staff

This bill establishes a Nursing Scholarship Program (NSP) through Massachusetts' Department of Public Health to address nursing staff shortages. It provides full tuition coverage for up to four years to students enrolled in accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs within Massachusetts, contingent on committing to two years of full-time work at a Massachusetts healthcare facility after graduation. The program aims to increase nursing workforce stability by reducing educational barriers and encouraging retention in the state's healthcare system. It directly affects nursing students seeking degrees and healthcare institutions needing qualified staff. The program requires annual reporting on participation and outcomes to evaluate effectiveness.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds higher education via nursing scholarships, directly supporting access to and affordability of bachelor's nursing programs within Massachusetts.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides tuition scholarships for nurses to address staffing shortages, directly improving healthcare workforce stability and access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds nursing education via tuition coverage to address staff shortages, increasing workforce stability and reducing barriers for healthcare workers in employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Healthcare Workforce Public Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 86: An Act assisting low-income students success through work-study

This bill establishes the Massachusetts Community College Career Pathways Trust Fund to support low-income students, particularly those receiving Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC), in earning certificates or associate degrees. It creates education opportunity coordinators at every community college to help students access career planning, financial aid, childcare, and work-study programs. The fund provides state work-study jobs (capped at 15 hours/week) at colleges, career-related off-campus sites, or community service roles, prioritizing TAFDC recipients. Annual reports will track student enrollment, success rates, and post-graduation employment to evaluate the program’s effectiveness.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state trust fund for low-income student support, directly increasing public education funding and fiscal investment in workforce development programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes trust fund for low-income students' higher education access via work-study, financial aid coordination, and childcare support at community colleges.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates state work-study jobs (capped 15 hrs/week) for low-income students, providing employment access and support services to advance educational and workforce opportunities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Early Childhood Student Financial Aid

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2477: An Act to modernize financial aid access

By Mr. Mark, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 411) of Paul W. Mark and James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish the MassGrant program to provide financial assistance to eligible residents enrolled in higher education. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes MassGrant program to provide financial aid for higher education, directly funding access to post-secondary education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 357: An Act relative to a tuition and fee freeze at all public colleges and universities.

HD 357 freezes tuition and fees at public colleges and universities at the 2022-2023 level. It applies directly to students attending public institutions of higher education defined in the bill (including all state universities and colleges). The freeze begins for the 2025-2026 academic year and ends at the conclusion of the 2029-2030 academic year. This policy change prevents public colleges from raising tuition or fees above the 2022-2023 rate during this specified period.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFreezes tuition to prevent cost increases, protecting student affordability and access to higher education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2697: An Act relative to student voice

This bill changes student representation on school committees by making student members voting members (previously non-voting) and replacing "without compensation" with a scholarship requirement. Student representatives must complete one full year of service to receive a scholarship funded by the school committee at the end of their senior year, with partial scholarships available for incomplete service. The bill also allows school committees to provide stipends to student representatives for their service. These changes directly affect student representatives, school committees, and district budget allocations for student engagement programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMakes students voting members on school committees with scholarship incentives, enhancing student participation in educational governance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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