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 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Eileen O'Connor tel: (617) 994-6903
Massachusetts Board of Higher Education Receives Final Report of the Task Force on Student Financial Aid (October 19, 2006) ROXBURY, MA. - At a meeting held this morning at Roxbury Community College, the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education received a final report from the Board’s Task Force on Student Financial Aid. The report calls for a number of specific recommendations aimed at expanding eligibility for need-based financial aid, supporting the workforce and economy of Massachusetts, and creating college aspirations among young students. “This report mirrors national trends around college access and affordability, as shown in a recent report by the Spellings Commission. Unfortunately, we cannot wait for the federal government to solve the problems we have here in Massachusetts—where college is essential, but expensive,” said Patricia F. Plummer, Chancellor of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. “Today we presented to the Board a series of potential action steps that, if adopted, will help Massachusetts students manage the costs of achieving a higher education and earning a living in the Commonwealth.” Vice Chancellor Clantha McCurdy, who oversees the BHE Office of Student Financial Assistance, presented the final report to Board members, who then discussed the recommendations. There were no serious objections to any goals or recommendations. The discussion focused on the critical link between public higher education and the workforce in Massachusetts; the importance of folding the middle class, or “working poor,” into the state's need-based aid programs; developing programs—such as a cost-free community college education—to “incentivize” high school students to complete a rigorous curriculum and go on to college; and how best to build early awareness about college and financial aid among students—particularly non-English speaking students, or those who are the first in their family to attend college. As part of the annual budget process for FY08, the Board will meet in November and December to review and approve its request for next year. As part of this process, the Board is expected to determine which recommendations to pursue immediately and what these programs will cost. Related to this, the Board intends to put together a legislative package around high-priority recommendations, and will meet with the Joint Committee on Higher Education in November.
To read a final copy of the report:
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