UMass Boston

I want to thank the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their unwavering support of public higher education. Considering over 80% of our graduates remain in Massachusetts, the state’s continued investment in public higher education is an investment of our future workforce. Our Beacon Pledge program will make a four-year degree at Boston’s premier public research university not just a dream but an attainable reality.

We have made important progress over the past couple of years to make higher education more affordable and accessible for all students, and the creation of the Beacon Pledge will allow even more students to pursue their education and future careers at UMass Boston. I'm grateful for the strong leadership of Chancellor Suárez-Orozco and look forward to continuing to support the amazing work happening at UMass Boston and campuses across the state.

Here in Massachusetts, we pride ourselves on being leaders in education—not only because we're home to world-class institutions, but also because we've taken major steps to make higher education more accessible and more affordable. Beacon Pledge will break down barriers and grant more people an opportunity to pursue higher education, which is good for our students, schools, businesses, and economy.

UMass Boston’s Beacon Pledge program highlights how truly affordable a UMass degree is, and I applaud Chancellor Suárez-Orozco... Since 2015, the University of Massachusetts system has made record investments in university-funded aid, boosting it by 73 percent to $409 million annually. Our record institutional aid combined with the historic expansion of state financial aid through MASSGrant Plus by the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Legislature has made this possible.

Access to exceptional public higher education in Massachusetts expands further with today’s milestone at UMass Boston. I’m heartened to see the campus take this transformative step, and proud that our historic commitments to investing in public higher education are bearing fruit. I applaud Chancellor Suárez-Orozco for making world-class education possible for even more students and families.

Congratulations to UMass Boston and Chancellor Suárez-Orozco on this bold step to open even more doors to a world-class education. As Boston's premier public research university that educates and trains more BPS students than any other higher education institution, Beacon Pledge will make a four-year degree attainable, equitable and accessible for Boston residents. This is a critical step to achieving education equity.

I commend Chancellor Suárez-Orozco for lifting up this opportunity for students with the greatest financial need. Knowledge of affordable college opportunities is crucial for students, and finding ways to work with our institutions to leverage the historic financial aid investments by the Healey-Driscoll Administration remains a priority for the Department. I look forward to working with UMass Boston and all of our public institutions to grow participation in these programs.

UMass Boston’s commitment to providing a high-quality education to every deserving student, regardless of financial background, is a game-changer for our communities and our Commonwealth. By eliminating financial barriers for in-state students with lower family incomes, UMass Boston is ensuring that opportunity and access to higher education are within reach for all. This initiative not only strengthens our workforce but also empowers the next generation of leaders right here in Massachusetts.

Chancellor Suarez-Orozco’s visionary leadership has elevated UMass Boson to a new level of excellence. Today’s announcement builds upon the state’s unprecedented investment in public higher education and offers clarity for BPS and students across Massachusetts that will increase access and equity at Boston’s premier public research university.

As a first-generation college student, I have learned that education is the great equalizer. I'm grateful to the leadership of the University of Massachusetts Boston in our students and their families by increasing opportunities to receive a world-class education through this residential program

This exciting new initiative will make the dream of a college education even more accessible to BPS students and their families right here at home by reducing costs. We are grateful to UMass Boston for recognizing our students' desire to achieve and for partnering with us to create the first ever University Assisted Community Hub School in BPS.

I am grateful to our Board members President Marty Meehan and Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco for their strong leadership. With this announcement, more students and their families in need of assistance will be able to attend UMass Boston for free. UMass Boston will continue to be celebrated as one of the best higher education institutions in New England while simultaneously accelerating the social and economic mobility of its students.

As the top-enrolling four-year institution for Boston Public Schools families, UMass Boston has a critical place in the city’s education pipeline, especially for first-generation students and lower-income families. By eliminating tuition for qualified students, UMass Boston is sending a powerful, simple message about access to education, and bolstering its own place in making Boston a more equitable and vibrant city. We are honored to partner with them in our shared commitment to equity.

MassBio sees great value in providing people of all socioeconomic backgrounds opportunities to work and succeed in the innovation economy in Massachusetts. This UMass Boston initiative will contribute to filling the robust talent pipeline the life sciences industry demands and provide an excellent continuing education option to graduates of MassBio’s Bioversity certification program.

UMass Boston’s commitment to offering free tuition to students from low-income families is a monumental step towards equity in education. This initiative will empower low-income students, particularly students of color, to pursue their dreams without the burden of financial stress. By breaking down this barrier to educational opportunity, we are not only investing in the postsecondary success of our young people, but also fostering a stronger, more equitable economy for the entire Commonwealth.

Allow me to join the chorus of appreciation. This is definitely a signature moment for Boston's urban university.

Access to higher education is key to long-term economic opportunity and success, while also ensuring that the region’s 21st century innovation economy will have the highly skilled workforce needed for continued growth. The New England Council commends UMass Boston for taking this important step to reduce barriers to a college degree and to ensure that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to receive a top-notch education.

Massachusetts' calling card has and needs to continue to be the education and training of our workforce. UMass Boston's bold move to make a great education even more accessible to those from lower income backgrounds will certainly provide fortunate graduates with tremendous opportunities to prosper as participants in what UMass Boston is helping to ensure is the nation's best workforce well into the future.

This initiative, capped at four years and designed to cover the last dollar of existing financial aid, will provide critical support to around 3,000 students, many from Suffolk County, without increasing the current $45 million commitment to financial aid. By helping more students remain in college and complete their degrees, UMass Boston is not only investing in their future but also in the strength of our region's workforce, ensuring Massachusetts remains competitive in the innovation economy.

Massachusetts is facing a workforce challenge as employers throughout the state struggle to fill open roles with diverse talent. With Beacon Pledge, UMass Boston is taking steps to address this challenge, create opportunities for students, and in doing so, train and educate more diverse talent for the in-demand jobs all throughout the Commonwealth. We look forward to partnering with you to continue to ensure Massachusetts has the talent it needs to win and maintain its global competitiveness.

Underrepresented groups, including the Latino community, which makes up nearly a fifth of Massachusetts' population, still face significant gaps in access to higher education. UMass Boston’s decision to offer free tuition to low-income students is a game changer. It opens doors of opportunity, invests in future leaders, and helps build a more equitable and competitive Massachusetts where everyone can thrive.