The bill reports on the progress of the MassReconnect program, which aims to provide affordable higher education to Massachusetts residents aged 25 and older without a college credential. Since its implementation in Fall 2023, the program has led to a 42% increase in adult student enrollment at community colleges. It operates as a last-dollar financial aid initiative, covering remaining tuition and fees after other federal and state aid is applied. The report highlights a significant rise in FAFSA completion rates among eligible students, which is essential for maximizing access to financial aid, and notes demographic trends showing increased enrollment across all racial and ethnic groups, particularly among Hispanic or Latino students.

Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the need for improved FAFSA completion rates among adult students, particularly those meeting MassReconnect requirements. While completion rates have increased, a significant number of eligible students still have not completed the FAFSA, indicating a need for enhanced outreach and support. The report also presents data on retention rates for adult students, showing stability among various categories, and notes a 19% increase in overall enrollment of adults aged 25 and over from FY2023 to FY2024, with notable growth among Hispanic or Latino and Black or African American students. The bill underscores the importance of ongoing evaluation to identify barriers to enrollment and assess the long-term success of the MassReconnect program.