UMass Boston

University, State & Federal Aid to Provide Unprecedented Certainty as Families Begin Application Process

UMass Boston today announced a new free tuition pledge for students with the greatest needs, combining university, state, and federal aid to provide unprecedented certainty to students and families as their college application process begins.

Drawing on the significant support the Healey-Driscoll Administration has provided through MASSGrant Plus Expansion, UMass Boston’s Beacon Pledge will provide a comprehensive aid package to enable eligible students next fall to attend college with all tuition and mandatory fees covered.

“I want to thank the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their unwavering support of public higher education. Considering over 80% of our graduates remain in Massachusetts, the state’s continued investment in public higher education is an investment in our future workforce,” said UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco. “Being the son of schoolteachers and an immigrant myself, I know education's vital role in opening doors for young people. Our Beacon Pledge program will make a four-year degree at Boston’s premier public research university not just a dream but an attainable reality.” 

The Beacon Pledge Program offers high-need students the ability to earn a bachelor’s degree for free. It will use federal, state, and institutional aid to cover total tuition and mandatory fees. In-state students from families with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less qualify for the program. University leaders hope the program can support as many as 3,000 students in its first year, more than one-third of whom are expected to come from Suffolk County and a vast majority of whom are expected to be students of color.

“Massachusetts is home to incredible state colleges and universities, including Boston's only public research university, UMass Boston," said Governor Maura Healey. “We have made important progress over the past couple of years to make higher education more affordable and accessible for all students and are glad to see UMass Boston lifting up the historic financial aid available to students at state universities through their Beacon Pledge. I'm grateful for the leadership of Chancellor Suárez-Orozco and look forward to continuing to support the amazing work happening at UMass Boston and campuses across the state."

“We believe the Beacon Pledge, building on existing state and federal support, is a model for other public colleges and universities to ensure a four-year degree is more attainable for all learners, regardless of their background or income,” Suárez-Orozco said.

Chancellor Suárez-Orozco expressed gratitude for the support from other UMass campuses for the Beacon Pledge program. “I applaud the leadership of my Chancellor colleagues, Drs. Chen, Fuller, and Reyes, for shortly preparing to announce similar initiatives adapted to each of their campuses,” said Suárez-Orozco.

Since its founding 60 years ago, UMass Boston has been committed to providing high-quality education to underrepresented and underserved students. The Beacon Pledge program seeks to remove financial barriers and demystify the cost of college for the Commonwealth’s most need-based students and families. It is an extension of the generous aid policies that UMass Boston has employed for years – awarding $45 million in institutional funds annually and resulting in the lowest average debt upon graduation per student of any of the UMass campuses. 

“Here in Massachusetts, we pride ourselves on being leaders in education — not only because we're home to world-class institutions but also because we've taken major steps to make higher education more accessible and more affordable,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The Beacon Pledge highlights how the administration, Legislature, and colleges continue to break down barriers and grant more people an opportunity to pursue higher education, which is good for our students, schools, businesses, and economy. We're thankful to the leadership at UMass Boston and look forward to welcoming students to campus!”

“UMass Boston’s Beacon Pledge program highlights how truly affordable a UMass degree is, and I applaud Chancellor Suárez-Orozco and the other UMass chancellors for their efforts to ensure students and families are aware of that fact,” said UMass President Marty Meehan. “Since 2015, the University of Massachusetts system has made record investments in university-funded aid, boosting it by 73 percent to $409 million annually. Our record institutional aid combined with the historic expansion of state financial aid through MASSGrant Plus by the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Legislature, have made it possible for all undergraduate campuses to cover the costs of tuition and mandatory fees for their highest-need students.”

Over 60% of UMass Boston students are the first in their families to attend college, and more than 40% qualify for a Pell Grant annually. The Beacon Pledge helps to ensure Massachusetts students have access to a credential that provides the greatest opportunity for upward mobility. 

“Access to exceptional public higher education in Massachusetts expands further with today’s milestone at UMass Boston,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. “I’m heartened to see the campus take this transformative step, and proud that our historic commitments to investing in public higher education are bearing fruit. I applaud Chancellor Suárez-Orozco for making world-class education possible for even more students and families.”

“Congratulations to UMass Boston and Chancellor Suárez-Orozco on this bold step to open even more doors to a world-class education,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. “As Boston's premier public research university that educates and trains more BPS students than any other higher education institution, the Beacon Pledge will make a four-year degree attainable, equitable and accessible for Boston residents. This is a critical step to achieving education equity and will allow more students to achieve more opportunities to advance their academic goals." 

“I commend Chancellor Suárez-Orozco for lifting up this opportunity for students with the greatest financial need,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “Knowledge of affordable college opportunities is crucial for students, and finding ways to work with our institutions to leverage the historic financial aid investments by the Healey-Driscoll Administration remains a priority for the Department. I look forward to working with UMass Boston and all of our public institutions to grow participation in these programs.”

Learn more about Beacon Pledge at umb.edu/free.

Statements of Support

Nick Collins, State Senator

“UMass Boston’s commitment to providing a high-quality education to every deserving student, regardless of financial background, is a game-changer for our communities and our Commonwealth. By eliminating financial barriers for in-state students with family incomes under $75,000, UMass Boston is ensuring that opportunity and access to higher education are within reach for all. This initiative not only strengthens our workforce but also empowers the next generation of leaders right here in Massachusetts.”

Dan Hunt, State Representative

“Chancellor Suarez-Orozco’s visionary leadership has elevated UMass Boson to a new level of excellence. Today’s announcement builds upon the state’s unprecedented investment in public higher ed and offers clarity for BPS and students across Massachusetts that will increase access and equity at Boston’s premier public research university.”

Russell Holmes, State Representative

"It is often said that talent is distributed equitably across every race, gender, and ethnicity. 

What is not distributed equitably is opportunity.  Today's announcement ensures that talented students will be given the opportunity to pursue their dreams and excel to their highest potential." 

David Biele, State Representative

"As a first-generation college student, I have learned that education is the great equalizer.  I'm grateful to the leadership of the University of Massachusetts Boston in our students and their families by increasing opportunities to receive a world-class education through this residential program."

Mary Skipper, Boston Public Schools Superintendent

"This exciting new initiative will make the dream of a college education even more accessible to BPS students and their families right here at home by reducing costs. We are grateful to UMass Boston for recognizing our students' desire to achieve and for partnering with us to create the first ever University Assisted Community Hub School in BPS that provides college and career pathways to help our students reach their goals."

James E. Rooney, President & CEO, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

"I am grateful to our Board members President Marty Meehan and Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco for their strong leadership that ensures UMass Boston remains one of the best higher education institutions in New England. With this new announcement, more students and their families in need of assistance will be able to attend UMass Boston for free. UMB will continue to be celebrated as a world class education while simultaneously accelerating the social and economic mobility of their students."

Lee Pelton, President & CEO, The Boston Foundation

“As the top-enrolling four-year institution for Boston Public Schools families, UMass Boston has a critical place in the city’s education pipeline, especially for first-generation students and lower-income families.  By eliminating tuition for qualified students, UMass Boston is sending a powerful, simple message about access to education, and bolstering its own place in making Boston a more equitable and vibrant city. We are honored to partner with them in our shared commitment to equity."

Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, MassBio CEO & President

“MassBio sees great value in providing people of all socioeconomic backgrounds opportunities to work and succeed in the innovation economy in Massachusetts. This UMass Boston initiative will contribute to filling the robust talent pipeline the life sciences industry demands and provide an excellent continuing education option to graduates of MassBio’s Bioversity certification program.”

Nicole Obi, President & CEO, Black Economic Council of Massachusetts

"UMass Boston’s commitment to offering free tuition to in-state students from low-income families is a monumental step towards equity in education. This initiative will empower low-income students, particularly students of color, to pursue their dreams without the burden of financial stress. By breaking down this barrier to educational opportunity, we are not only investing in the postsecondary success of our young people, but also fostering a stronger, more equitable economy for the entire Commonwealth."

Neil Sullivan, Executive Director, Boston Private industry Council

"Allow me to join the chorus of appreciation.  This is definitely a signature moment for Boston's urban university.”

James T. Brett, President & CEO, The New England Council

“Access to higher education is key long term economic opportunity and success , while also ensuring that the region’s 21st century innovation economy will have the highly skilled workforce needed for continued growth.  The New England Council commends UMass Boston for taking this important step to reduce barriers to a college degree and to ensure that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to receive a top-notch education.”

Jay Ash, President & CEO, Massachusetts Competitive Partnership

“Massachusetts' calling card has and needs to continue to be the education and training of our workforce.  UMass Boston's bold move to make a great education even more accessible to those from lower income backgrounds will certainly provide fortunate graduates with tremendous opportunities to prosper as participants in what UMass Boston is helping to ensure is the nation's best workforce well into the future.”

Christopher Anderson, President, Massachusetts High Technology Council

"As president of the Mass High Tech Council, I strongly support UMass Boston's proposal to offer free tuition to in-state students with family incomes under $75,000. This initiative, capped at four years and designed to cover the last dollar of existing financial aid, will provide critical support to around 3,000 students, many from Suffolk County, without increasing the current $45 million commitment to financial aid. By helping more students remain in college and complete their degrees, UMass Boston is not only investing in their future but also in the strength of our region's workforce, ensuring Massachusetts remains competitive in the innovation economy." 

JD Chesloff, President & CEO, Massachusetts Business Roundtable

“Massachusetts is facing a workforce challenge as employers throughout the state struggle to fill open roles with diverse talent. With today’s announcement, UMass Boston is taking steps to address this challenge, create opportunities for students, and in doing so, train and educate more diverse talent for the in-demand jobs all throughout the Commonwealth. Congratulations to President Meehan, Chancellor Suárez-Orozco, and UMass Boston on today’s exciting announcement. We look forward to partnering with you and our members to continue to ensure Massachusetts has the talent it needs to win and maintain its global competitiveness.”

Eneida Roman, President & CEO, Amplify LatinX

“Underrepresented groups, including the Latino community that makes up nearly a fifth of Massachusetts' population, continue to face significant equity gaps, including in access to higher education. UMass Boston's bold step to make higher education more accessible to students from low-income families is a game changer for communities across the state. By opening doors of opportunity and investing in the future leaders of our Commonwealth, this initiative is a major win in bridging equity gaps. We celebrate this effort that ensures every student has the chance to succeed, regardless of their financial circumstances, and builds a more equitable and economically competitive Massachusetts where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

About UMass Boston

The University of Massachusetts Boston is deeply rooted in the city's history yet poised to address future challenges. Recognized for innovative research, this metropolitan Boston public university offers its diverse student population an intimate learning environment and the rich experience of a great American city. UMass Boston’s colleges and graduate schools serve more than 15,000 students while engaging local and global constituents through academic programs, research centers, and public service. To learn more, visit www.umb.edu.