H 4409 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act to facilitate student financial assistance

This bill requires Massachusetts public high schools to ensure all students submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) before graduation, with clear exemptions for students or parents who decline. Schools must provide support for FAFSA completion and use accessible, multilingual forms for opt-outs - no citizenship questions required. It creates a dedicated FAFSA Trust Fund (effective 2026) to support schools in implementation, including training and workshops for underserved communities, funded by state appropriations and private donations. The law mandates annual reporting on FAFSA submission rates and exemptions, broken down by demographics, with the school requirement taking effect in 2027.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Aug 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Aug 28, 2025 Last action Aug 28, 2025
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Aug 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
lower
Aug 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported from the committee on Higher Education
lower
0 primary · 7 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.