UMass Boston has introduced a free tuition initiative designed to assist students with significant financial needs. The program, known as the Beacon Pledge, integrates support from the university, state, and federal aid to provide financial certainty for students and their families engaged in the college application process.
The Beacon Pledge Initiative
The Beacon Pledge program takes advantage of increased financial resources provided by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, especially through the expanded MASSGrant Plus program. Eligible students under this initiative will have their total tuition and mandatory fees covered, allowing them to pursue higher education without the burden of financial challenges.
Support from University Leadership
Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco acknowledged the administration’s robust support for public higher education and emphasized the critical role that education plays in creating opportunities for individuals. The Beacon Pledge is set to benefit in-state students from families with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less, with aims to assist approximately 3,000 students in its first year. The program is particularly focused on students from Suffolk County and students of color, who are expected to make up a significant portion of participants.
Governor Healey’s Vision
Governor Maura Healey highlighted the necessity of making higher education more accessible and affordable. She expressed gratitude to UMass Boston for enhancing the financial aid available to students at state universities and suggested that this initiative could serve as a model for other public colleges aimed at making a four-year degree accessible to all, regardless of background or financial status.
Commitment to Education
The Beacon Pledge reflects UMass Boston’s commitment to providing high-quality education to underrepresented and underserved communities. This program builds on the university’s long-standing dedication to financial assistance, which includes distributing $45 million in institutional funds annually, resulting in the lowest average student debt for graduates among UMass campuses.
Impact on Student Access
UMass Boston officials project that the initiative will positively affect student access to higher education, bolster workforce development in Massachusetts, and enrich the state’s educational environment. Notably, over 60% of UMass Boston students are first-generation college attendees, and more than 40% qualify for federal Pell Grants.
Community Recognition
State legislators and community leaders have recognized the Beacon Pledge’s potential to promote educational equity and create vital economic opportunities for low-income students across the Commonwealth.
Further Information
Further information regarding the Beacon Pledge program is available on UMass Boston’s designated webpage.
Source: UMass Boston News.