Celebrating Tuition Equity for Massachusetts Students

Effective July 1, 2023, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts created a pathway to expand access to in-state tuition as well as state financial aid. This law created an additional pathway for students, including some non-U.S. citizens, to be eligible for in-state tuition. This new way to be eligible for in-state tuition at Massachusetts public colleges and universities and to be eligible to be considered for Massachusetts financial aid will be in addition to the existing ways for a student to establish eligibility for in-state tuition rates.

To qualify for the in-state tuition rate with “High School Completer” status, which was a new category created by the tuition equity law, a student must have attended at least three years of high school (or district-approved home school) in Massachusetts and have graduated from high school in Massachusetts or have received the equivalent of a high school diploma (for example, a GED or HiSet) in Massachusetts.

Additional requirements to qualify for in-state tuition as a High School Completer under the Tuition Equity Law are:

• The student must have been admitted to a public institution of higher education within the Massachusetts system;
• The student can’t have an ineligible nonimmigrant status—typically meaning a foreign national with an official temporary status in the United States, such as diplomatic officials or someone authorized to be in the US under a work or visitor visa;
• The student must register with the military selective service if eligible; and
• The student must also provide an affidavit form stating that they will file an application to become a citizen or legal permanent resident within 120 days after becoming eligible to do so only if the student does not provide a Social Security number of individual tax ID number or if the person is not a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States.

Students can also be eligible for in-state status via the primary traditional pathway: establishing US citizenship, lawful immigrant status, or lawful permanent resident status, satisfying the residential requirement, and showing an intention to stay in Massachusetts. This pathway for in-state tuition can be found here. The Tuition Equity Law’s High School Completer status is an additional way a student can establish in-state tuition eligibility.

Students seeking access to the in-state tuition rate with “High School Completer” status must apply using the Student Application and Affidavit form ( click here for High School Seniors or click here for all other applicants) and submit that document to the institution where they are or intend to be enrolled. Each Massachusetts public college and university is responsible for determining the tuition status for its respective students, so the process for submitting the application will be organized on a students’ campus.

Any student meeting the requirements may apply for eligibility for in-state tuition through High School Completer status, including students who are not U.S. citizens.

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) a student’s personally identifiable information is protected from being shared with third parties. Institutions are expected to refrain from unnecessarily obtaining information about a student’s immigration or citizenship status without a reason, and only to the extent needed to make tuition and financial aid eligibility determinations. Institutions should also provide training to all faculty and staff on privacy policies.

The new provision became law as of July 1, 2023 and can be used for any term that begins after that date. Students may use the application attached to apply now to their institution for the in-state tuition rate, which, if eligible, will be applied retroactively and will result in a credit or reimbursement for the difference in rate as of that date. The law cannot be used to change tuition status for any term beginning prior to July 1, 2023.

Yes. Each college has a process called reclassification, which is how students file a request to be changed from out-of-state to in-state status. A student can submit the Student Application and Affidavit form (click here) to be eligible for High School Completer status and in-state eligibility. Note that any reclassification will only be effective as of July 1, 2023. Beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year and beyond, retroactive reclassifications for Massachusetts state financial aid decisions are limited to the beginning of the semester during which the institution makes the final decision to reclassify the student. Information on the traditional pathway for in-state tuition can be found here. A link to the illustrative list of documents establishing lawful immigration status can be found here, and is being reviewed for potential expansion in light of federal immigration law changes.

The student is required to complete at least three years of high school (9th-12th grade) in Massachusetts. Any combination of three years of enrollment is acceptable. The school may be public or private but must be physically located within Massachusetts. A student must also have graduated from high school or have received the equivalent of a high school diploma (like a GED).

No. Under this provision, the parent’s legal status is completely immaterial. The student’s immigration status also is largely immaterial except that the provision is not available to students with certain immigration statuses referenced in the law, such as diplomatic officials and those only authorized to work or visit the US on a short term temporary basis.   Please see the implementation procedures for more detail.  

The Student Application and Affidavit form (click here for High School Seniors or click here for all other applicants) should be submitted to the institution where the student is applying/admitted and/or enrolled.

No, not at this time. The Tuition Equity law and the implementation procedures currently do not have a duration of residency requirement.

No. “High School Completer” status and the Tuition Equity Law does not change Federal requirements for Federal forms of financial aid (for example Pell Grants, Direct Loans, etc).

A student can apply to their campus immediately using the Student Application and Affidavit form (click here for High School Seniors or click here for all other applicants) for a determination on in-state tuition eligibility and for consideration for non-need-based financial aid. Students can simultaneously submit a MASFA application to receive a determination of eligibility for state financial aid.

Students are encouraged to approach their institution to determine an appeals process. Students who remain aggrieved after raising the issue with their institution may also submit their concerns via the DHE compliant process, detailed here.

As long as a prospective recipient meets the required criteria under the law, they will be eligible to receive in-state tuition rates at the Commonwealth’s 29 public campuses, if an in-state tuition rate is available. Please note, however, that courses or programs offered outside of a full-time degree program and courses offered not-for-credit may not be available at an in-state rate; and may not be eligible for state financial aid. For questions regarding tuition rates and financial aid eligibility, please contact the institution directly for assistance.

Student eligibility for in-state tuition and financial aid under the New Tuition Equity Law is not limited by age, and any combination of three years of high school completion is acceptable. Students must have attended three years of high school in Massachusetts (and have graduated from a MA high school or have a MA high school degree equivalent). The three years of high school attendance do not need to be consecutive but may have occurred at any time in the past.

The student must have 1) attended high school (or district-approved home school) during three academic years of high school (9th – 12th grade) in Massachusetts and 2) graduated from a Massachusetts high school or have a Massachusetts high school diploma equivalent. The school may be public or private but must be physically located within Massachusetts. A student must also have graduated from high school or have received the equivalent of a high school diploma (such as a GED or HiSET).

The student’s three years of high school attendance at a Massachusetts high school (public or private) do not need to be consecutive and may have occurred at any time. As such, a student-applicant who, for example, enrolled late (e.g., during sophomore year of high school) and graduates, or alternatively who is enrolled for three years but drops out early (e.g., during junior or senior years) but ultimately obtains a high school diploma equivalent, would be encouraged to proceed with an application.

Students need not supply a physical SSN card, they need merely supply the number. Any validly issued SSN will suffice, including an unrestricted, work-restricted, or nonwork purpose SSN.

Evidence reflecting issuance of an ITIN should include any correspondence to that effect from the IRS or any tax return filed with the ITIN.

Students may submit any of the following to show compliance with the Selective Service Registration requirement:

1. Copy of selective service card;
2. The selective service number;
3. Registration acknowledgement letter; or
4. Proof of filing a DHE Form I-495 for adjustment of status to permanent residence (which is considered automatic registration), or any other evidence presented by the president showing proof of registration.

A student need only demonstrate that they have registered for selective service if they are required (almost all male US citizens and male immigrants aged 18-25). Such students need only show receipt of the registration submission made at any US post office and does not require a return acknowledgement from the Selective Service System. A copy of the submission receipt is sufficient.

Yes, High School Completer status is available to any student who has completed three years at a Massachusetts high school and received a high school diploma or equivalent in Massachusetts. The tuition equity law does not exclude private high schools.

To qualify for in-state tuition rate with “High School Completer” status, which was a new category created by the Tuition Equity Law, a student must have attended at least three years of high school in Massachusetts and graduated from high school in Massachusetts or have received the equivalent of a high school diploma (for example, a GED or HiSet) in Massachusetts. Unfortunately, GED prep programs are not identified in the law as qualifying as a substitute for enrollment in a Massachusetts high school. The student, however, should consult with the institution to which the student intends to enroll to explore whether the student is eligible for the in-state tuition rate under the traditional pathway, which recognized various immigration statuses, BHE Residency Policy for In State Tuition including “work permits” (see generally, https://www.mass.edu/forstufam/daca/home.asp).

The new law does not require the institution to confirm the student’s non-immigration status. The attestation on the student’s affidavit meets the current requirements of the law and is therefore sufficient.

Home schooled students may meet the high school attendance and completion requirements, provided they are able to submit evidence of the education plans approved by the superintendent of Massachusetts the school district in which the student resided for at least three years.

Governor Healey included updates to the Tuition Equity Law in her proposed FY25 budget (H.2 – Outside Section 18) that would remove the Selective Service registration requirement (in alignment with current FAFSA requirements). DHE will be following the proposed legislation carefully. If enacted, the proposed changes could go into effect as early as this summer. In the interim, the Department’s interpretation is that, if a student can complete Selective Service registration when they apply for tuition equity (i.e., because they are over 18 but not yet 26 and were assigned male at birth), the Tuition Equity Law currently requires them to register as a condition of receiving in-state tuition. However, if a student is unable to complete selective service registration when they apply for tuition equity (i.e., because they are age 26 or above and were assigned male at birth) they are not required to register as a condition of receiving in-state tuition, because the selective service registration requirement is no longer applicable to them since they are no longer eligible for the Selective Service.

A student should submit documentation of Selective Service registration to the designated financial aid office or officer responsible for state financial aid administration at the institution where the student is enrolled. If a student is unsure, they should reach out to their financial aid office.

Students who have obtained or are currently in the process of obtaining a GED or HiSET should use the Tuition Equity Form and Affidavit for All Other Applicants, NOT the Tuition Equity Form and Affidavit for High School Seniors.

Yes, subject to meeting the eligibility requirement of each financial aid program. If a student is determined eligible for in-state tuition with “High School Completer” status, they may be eligible for consideration for some Massachusetts financial aid programs. This eligibility for consideration for financial aid does not guarantee access to financial aid. High School Completer status will allow a student to be considered for state-funded financial assistance on the same terms as other individuals. That means that students must meet the eligibility criteria for each financial aid program for which the student is seeking access.

Massachusetts state financial aid programs can be accessed here.

Once determined to be eligible for High School Completer status, the student is eligible for all state financial aid programs administered by the Department, on the same terms as other individuals.

Once determined to be eligible for “High School Completer” status, the student will be eligible for all state financial aid programs administered by the department provided:

1. The student meets all of the specific eligibility requirements and deadlines for each MA state financial aid program sought to be awarded; and
2. The student files a FAFSA or the MASFA if applicable; and
3. The student is determined eligible for a specific award amount by the institution, or by the Department.

Additional Financial Aid information can be found here.

Students can immediately submit their application and affidavit for an eligibility determination regarding in-state tuition and for all non-need-based financial aid programs. In addition, they can simultaneously complete the MASFA to receive a determination of eligibility for state financial aid programs.

In the case of in-state tuition as well as state financial aid, student eligibility, if approved, will be retroactive to July 1, 2023.

More specifically, in-state tuition eligibility will be determined immediately, but there will be a phased approach to rolling out state financial aid programs for students with High School completer status.

In Phase I, students determined eligible for MA state financial aid will be immediately eligible for consideration for all non-need-based, Department administered state financial aid programs, including all non-need-based tuition waivers.

In Phase II, for all Massachusetts state financial aid programs that are need-based and therefore require the filing of a FAFSA, or MASFA, students will need to complete either the FAFSA or the MASFA to receive a determination of eligibility for state financial aid.

Note that if a student has concerns or disagreement about a state financial aid determination, they may submit their concerns via the DHE compliant process, found here.

Yes. We know that, for example, certain TPS holders may be ineligible for federal aid, but would be eligible for in state tuition.

Yes, any student eligible under the new law may apply for both in-state tuition and will be eligible for consideration for state financial aid programs for which they otherwise qualify.

Students must have completed three years of high school in Massachusetts and have graduated from a MA high school or have a MA high school degree equivalent. The three years of high school attendance do not need to be consecutive, but may have occurred at any time.

It is important to note that a student should only fill out one financial aid application, either the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA) or the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA),not both. If a student is undocumented, then they are likely ineligible to submit a FAFSA application and should instead complete the MASFA alternative. The MASFA application platform includes instructions and guidance during the user registration process to help students determine whether they should complete the FAFSA or the MASFA. Please note that the Tuition Equity Law deems High School Completers eligible for consideration for all state financial aid programs, subject to the individual student-High School Completer meeting the documentation requirements and specific criteria of each financial aid program. The Department urges all students who believe they are newly eligible under the Tuition Equity Law to complete the MASFA as soon as possible, and no later than June 30, 2024.

No, a student does not need to wait for confirmation from the state to begin the MASFA process. As such, students should fill out their MASFA form as soon as possible if they are ineligible to complete a FAFSA application and meet the required criteria of a “High School Completer” – namely, that they have attended a Massachusetts high school for at least three years and graduated therefrom with a degree or GED equivalent.