UMass Boston announced a commitment Oct. 29 to cover tuition and mandatory fees for in-state students with a gross income of less than $75,000 through the Beacon Pledge.
The program uses existing aid options, including federal student aid and MASSGrant, to cover most costs, with institutional aid guaranteed to make up the difference.
“The Beacon Pledge Program offers high-need students the ability to earn a bachelor’s degree for free,” the university stated. “University leaders hope the program can support as many as 3,000 students in its first year, more than one-third of whom are expected to come from Suffolk County and a vast majority of whom are expected to be students of color.”
The pledge does not provide money for housing, food or books, so it may not cover all the costs associated with a degree.
According to the program’s web page, the pledge applies to qualifying incoming and existing students. In addition to the income threshold, students must be Massachusetts residents who are enrolled on-campus for a minimum of 12 credits per semester while studying for their first bachelor’s degree.
Since the announcement, the university’s marketing has leaned on the program, posting advertisements for free tuition at the JFK/UMass Red Line station.
According to DeWayne Lehman, the director of communications, the program aims to give prospective students peace of mind while applying, well before they receive complete financial aid packages. This year, many students did not receive their financial aid packages until May due to problems with the updated Free Application for Federal Student Aid rollout.
UMass Dartmouth announced a similar program, called the UMass Dartmouth Deal, the same day. “In alignment with other UMass campuses, the initiative aims to reduce financial barriers for students who demonstrate significant financial need, ensuring that a high-quality public education remains within reach for all.
“Together, the UMass campuses are dedicated to preparing students for current and emerging industries, driven by a shared vision of accessible, inclusive, and quality education,” UMass Dartmouth stated in an Oct. 29 blog post. They expect the program to cover costs for approximately 1,500 of their 5,600 students.
UMass Lowell announced their version of the commitment the next day. UMass Amherst announced their program Nov. 7. “The program expands upon the university’s commitment to high-needs students; 92% of students from Massachusetts households with an AGI of less than $75,000 already had no tuition costs to attend UMass Amherst,” UMass Amherst stated.
This article appeared in print on Page 5 of Vol. LVIII Issue VII, published Nov. 18, 2024.
