The MassEducate program is designed to provide free community college education to all Massachusetts residents, with a focus on students under 25. The program has seen a 6.6% increase in enrollment among this demographic, totaling 35,505 students for the Fall 2024 semester. It operates as a last-dollar financial aid initiative, covering remaining tuition and fees after other forms of aid, and offers up to $1,200 annually for books and supplies. Eligibility requires residency in Massachusetts for at least one year, enrollment in an eligible program, and completion of the FAFSA or MASFA. The report highlights improvements in FAFSA completion rates, which have risen to 80.9% among eligible students under 25, and shows enrollment growth across various racial and ethnic groups, particularly among female students.

The bill aims to enhance FAFSA completion rates for students under 25 by introducing new metrics for assessing retention rates and clarifying eligibility criteria with specific insertions related to "credit & prior" education requirements and "MassEducate" residency criteria. It emphasizes the need for targeted efforts to improve access and retention, particularly for underrepresented groups, and outlines plans for qualitative analysis to identify barriers to enrollment. Overall, the bill seeks to address gaps in access to higher education for younger students and those receiving financial assistance, while also providing a framework for measuring long-term success in these initiatives.