Hildreth Institute Responds to Higher Education Investments in Senate Ways and Means Budget
Thursday May 11 2023
The Hildreth Institute applauds the Senate Ways and Means Committee for prioritizing critical investments in education in their proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The FY24 budget released by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means is a testament to the continued commitment of elected officials towards the reinvestment in public higher education and the students these critical institutions serve.
We are pleased to see that the Senate is expanding on its promise to make public higher education more affordable for its residents by allocating $100 million in new funding to expand much needed student financial aid. This expansion is commendable and aligns with our mission to promote affordability within the realm of public education.
We applaud the Senate for not only endorsing Governor Healey's MASS Reconnect plan but also for taking the initiative to enhance it. The allocation of an additional $20 million to cover expenses for individuals enrolled in community college nursing programs is a significant step towards addressing the urgent need for healthcare professionals, a challenge that existed even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, we commend the Senate for their thoughtful allocation of $15 million as ramp-up funding, aimed at ensuring that community colleges are adequately prepared for the future expansion of tuition-free programs. This is critical as our research on the experiences of other states has shown that sudden surges in enrollment had unintended negative consequences when community colleges lacked the necessary financial resources and infrastructure to accommodate the influx of new students. Therefore, this funding is critical to enable community colleges to be well-prepared to support students effectively.
The allocation of $44 million for the Success Program, along with comprehensive student success initiatives and wraparound support services, is a vital step towards assisting the most vulnerable student populations in successfully attaining their degrees. The Hildreth Institute believes that this funding will be instrumental in strengthening the capacity of public colleges and universities to provide the necessary support and resources for students to achieve academic success.
We wholeheartedly support the Senate's commendable decision to extend in-state tuition to undocumented immigrant students. Irrespective of their abilities, dedication, or ambitions, a significant number of these young individuals have encountered restricted opportunities upon graduating from high school. The prolonged wait endured by immigrant students in Massachusetts bears immense significance and should not be underestimated.
The Hildreth Institute remains committed to returning public higher education to a reliable engine for economic mobility and we are encouraged by what we are seeing and hearing from leaders across the state.
We look forward to collaborating with elected officials during this budget process and legislative session to reverse the decades-long trend of disinvestment from public higher education and transform it into a truly equitable, affordable, and accessible system that benefits all students.
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For more information, please contact the Hildreth Institute at news@hildrethinstitute.org or visit our website at www.hildrethinstitute.org.