Education (Higher Education)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2557: An Act relative to college credits for AP courses

This bill requires all public colleges in Massachusetts to create policies by September 1, 2027, that fully accept college credits earned by high school students who passed their Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams. It directly affects public colleges (like state universities and community colleges) and high school students taking AP courses. The key provision mandates that colleges must accept "all appropriate" AP credits for students who achieved the required "proficient" score on their AP exams. This eliminates barriers for students seeking to earn college credit through AP coursework while in high school.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates public colleges to fully accept AP credits, expanding college access and reducing barriers for high school students without restricting curriculum or funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3615: An Act banning legacy preferences in higher education

This bill prohibits Massachusetts public universities (including the University of Massachusetts and state universities) and all degree-granting institutions authorized by the Board of Higher Education from considering an applicant's family connection to alumni when making admission decisions. It also bans these institutions from including in application materials any information about relatives' colleges attended. The law directly affects prospective students applying to these institutions by removing legacy-based admissions considerations. The policy change takes effect for admissions leading to the 2026-2027 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBans legacy preferences in admissions, removing barriers for underrepresented students and expanding equitable access to higher education institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 775: An Act expanding the community college training incentive program

This bill expands eligibility for the community college training incentive program to include credit-bearing courses, which were previously excluded. It directly affects community college students and training program participants who take courses leading to academic credits. The key change amends the statute to explicitly include "credit-bearing" courses by revising language that previously limited coverage to "not-for-credit" programs. This adjustment clarifies that both non-credit and credit-bearing courses qualify for the incentive, without adding new funding or requirements. The bill focuses solely on updating the program's scope through statutory language.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands community college training program to include credit-bearing courses, increasing educational access for students and training participants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2107: An Act to provide green and healthy public colleges and universities and address their deferred maintenance needs

This bill creates a commission to assess and improve the health and energy efficiency of Massachusetts public college and university buildings, directly affecting all 15 public institutions (including UMass, community colleges, and state universities). The commission will evaluate factors like air quality, water safety, energy use, and accessibility, then develop standards and publish findings online. It establishes two funds: one to cover debt service on campus construction (freeing up money for faculty hiring and student support programs) and another to finance renovations and new construction meeting the commission's green and healthy standards. The bill mandates that by 2027, all new academic/administrative buildings must be fully funded by the state, eliminating reliance on institutional debt.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationImproves physical infrastructure of public colleges through health/safety standards, directly supporting higher education facilities per topic description.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates energy efficiency assessments and improvements for public campus buildings, directly advancing energy efficiency standards through commission oversight and dedicated funds.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates energy efficiency standards for public college buildings, reducing emissions and promoting sustainable infrastructure through commission assessments and dedicated funds.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Energy Efficiency Air Quality

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 737: An Act ensuring students' access to academic transcripts

HD 737 prevents Massachusetts colleges and universities from withholding a student's academic transcripts solely because they owe unpaid fees, tuition, or other debts to the institution. The bill allows schools to withhold a student's grades or credits for specific courses where tuition and mandatory fees for that course remain unpaid, including for semester-based payments. It explicitly states institutions may still withhold diplomas or degrees for unpaid debts. The law applies to all public and private colleges, universities, and occupational schools, with the Department of Higher Education responsible for creating implementation rules.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents colleges from withholding transcripts due to unpaid debts, directly advancing student access to academic records for higher education transitions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2080: An Act relative to admissions requirements to institutions of higher education

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 932) of Adam Gomez for legislation to allow the department of higher education to review the practice of requiring applicants to take a standardized college entrance aptitude test to gain admittance to an undergraduate degree program at a public institution of higher education. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill proposes reviewing standardized test requirements for public college admissions, which could remove barriers and expand access to higher education, aligning with 'expands educational access' indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3806: An Act relative to increasing 529 deductions

This bill increases tax deductions for contributions to 529 college savings plans. It raises the annual deduction limit from $1,000 to $5,000 for single filers and from $2,000 to $10,000 for married couples filing jointly. The change directly affects Massachusetts taxpayers who use 529 plans to save for education expenses, allowing them to reduce their taxable income by larger amounts. The policy change simplifies the tax benefit by adjusting these specific dollar limits in the state tax code.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax deductions for 529 plans, providing direct tax relief to Massachusetts taxpayers by raising deduction limits and reducing taxable income.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases tax deductions for 529 college savings plans, enhancing financial access to higher education through expanded tax benefits for families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1427: An Act relative to higher education financial literacy counseling

This bill requires public higher education institutions in Massachusetts to provide financial literacy counseling to all accepted students before they arrive on campus. The counseling must cover student loans and all education expenses, including tuition, housing, books, and transportation, along with available financial aid options like grants and work-study. Institutions must also offer a standardized college financing plan developed by federal agencies (CFPB and U.S. Department of Education), which details estimated costs and funding sources. The plan can be provided electronically in printable format, and the Board of Higher Education is authorized to create rules for implementation. This directly affects public colleges and their incoming students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial literacy counseling on loans/expenses for higher ed students, enhancing informed financial decisions and reducing debt risks per bill requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 5, 2026

H 1463: An Act relative to a tuition and fee freeze at all public colleges and universities

By Representative Turco of Winthrop, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1463) of Jeffrey Rosario Turco relative to a tuition and fee freeze at all public colleges and universities. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFreezes tuition/fees at public colleges, protecting affordability and access for students without increasing costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 5, 2026

H 1450: An Act relative to instate tuition

By Representative Lombardo of Billerica, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1450) of Marc T. Lombardo relative to in-state tuition rates and fees at public institutions of higher education. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes in-state tuition rates at public higher education institutions, promoting affordability and access to higher education for residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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