An Act to establish the Bridge the Gap Scholarship to universalize access to community colleges

This bill creates the Bridge the Gap Scholarship in Massachusetts to help residents attend accredited community college programs. To qualify, students must have graduated from a Massachusetts high school within the last two years, maintain a 2.5 GPA, finish their studies in three years, and commit to living and working in the state for two years after graduation. If students fail to meet these requirements, the scholarship converts into a low-interest loan with exceptions for financial hardship. Additionally, community colleges will work with local employers to identify workforce needs and certify up to five programs each year that are eligible for the scholarship.