What's New
Annual FAFSA Day Offers Free Help Applying for Financial Aid for College
The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education is proud to support FAFSA Day Massachusetts, a statewide event designed to help future students and their families understand the financial aid process and to provide information on the availability of financial aid for college applicants. FAFSA Day will also offer one-on-one assistance to complete the FAFSA in English or Spanish.
Board of Higher Education Hears Reports on Developmental Education and Science Admissions Requirements
December 6—Board of Higher Education hears reports from Vision Project working groups on potential recommendations to better align Massachusetts' public universities' science admissions requirements with current high school standards and on policies and practices to transform developmental education and support higher degree completion rates
Massachusetts Veterans Choose State Colleges, Universities to Advance Educational, Career Goals
November 9—New data from U.S. Veterans Administration show majority of GI Bill Recipients in Massachusetts enroll at public campuses; also public colleges and universities plan Veterans’ Day salutes, activities
Of the 8,280 veterans using GI Bill Benefits in Massachusetts in 2011, 58 percent were attending Massachusetts' public colleges and universities. (Source: U.S. Veterans Administration RCS Report, April 2011.)
Board of Higher Education Hears Reports on Early Enrollment Estimates for Fall 2011, Next-Generation Assessments of College and Career Readiness
October 18—Board of Higher Education hears reports on new all-time high in Massachusetts public higher education enrollments and the development of new K-12 assessments for college and career readiness
Massachusetts GEAR UP Program Wins $5M U.S. DOE Grant
October 14—The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education announced that the Commonwealth has received a $5 million award from the U.S. Department of Education to expand GEAR UP, a grant program to help low-income students prepare to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.
Recognizing Latino Educational Excellence
Higher education honorees for the "Recognizing Latino Educational Excellence" celebration.
October 6—As part of the Commonwealth's ongoing Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, Governor Deval L. Patrick today honored nine Hispanic educators and leaders in higher education in a "Recognizing Latino Educational Excellence" ceremony at the State House.
New Phone Number for Office of Student Financial Assistance
September 26—Please note: As of today, the phone number for the Department of Higher Education's Office of Student Financial Assistance has changed. The new number is (617) 391-6070. Please see our Staff Directory for specific staff members' new phone numbers.
18 Public Campuses Win Competitive Grants to Spur Innovation, Improve Graduation Rates under the Vision Project
September 6—Today Governor Deval Patrick announced the recipients of $2.5 million in funding through the Performance Incentive Fund (PIF), a competitive grant program designed to spur innovation in public higher education. Through this program, eighteen Massachusetts public colleges and universities across the Commonwealth will receive state funding to supplement their base budgets to spur innovative programs and reward campus efforts to improve educational outcomes.
Administration Announces $2.5 Million Performance Incentive Fund for Higher Education, Business Leaders Hail "Excellence and Accountability" Goals
July 11—The Patrick-Murray Administration announced on July 11, 2011, the establishment of a $2.5 million Performance Incentive Fund for public higher education as part of the Fiscal Year 2012 budget signed by Governor Deval L. Patrick. The Performance Incentive Fund supports a competitive grant-making process to allow campuses to enact policies or create programs to help them advance the goals of the Vision Project.
Board of Higher Education Approves MassBay Community College Presidential Selection, Accepts Final Reports from Two Vision Project Working Groups
June 7—Board of Higher Education approves appointment of John O'Donnell as president of MassBay Community College, receives reports from Vision Project Working Group on Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment, Working Group on Graduation and Student Success Rates
Board of Higher Education Welcomes MTA President Paul Toner as Newest Member
Governor Deval Patrick has appointed Paul Toner, President of the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), to the Board of Higher Education to fill the labor position on the Board. The Massachusetts Teachers Association represents faculty and staff members from the Commonwealth’s system of public higher education. He replaces James Coyle who has served on the Board since 2006.
Governor Patrick Joins Other State and Higher Ed Officials to Honor "29 Who Shine": 29 Stellar Graduates of Massachusetts' 29 Public College and University Campuses
Governor Patrick poses with the "29 Who Shine" on the
Grand Staircase
at the Massachusetts State House.
Photo credit: Matt Bennett/Governor's Office
The "29 Who Shine," a group of outstanding students representing each of our 29 public campuses, were honored in a ceremony on May 12 at the Grand Staircase of the Massachusetts State House. The honorees, chosen because of their academic achievements and record of student leadership and community service, stand poised to contribute greatly to the civic life and economic well-being of the state. Whether furthering their education or entering careers here in Massachusetts in fields as diverse as education, public policy, medicine, creative arts, and astrophysics, they truly embody the vibrant future that we all envision for the Commonwealth.
Current Initiatives
- College Access Challenge Grant
- Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Program
- STEM Pipeline Fund
- Nursing & Allied Health Initiative
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Making News
Recent Reports
Phase I Report on Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment- Phase I/II Report from the Commissioner’s Task Force on Collaboration and Efficiency (.PDF)
- Final Report from the Commissioner's Advisory Group on Undergraduate Education (.PDF)
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