New Report from Hildreth Institute Calls for Addressing Racial and Economic Disparities in Massachusetts' Tuition-Free Community College Proposal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 14th, 2024
CONTACT: news@hildrethinstitute.org - (617) 752-3701
Boston, MA – The Hildreth Institute, an independent research and policy institute dedicated to fostering equitable higher educational opportunities for all, has today published a comprehensive Policy Insight titled “Financial Aid for Equitable Outcomes: Assessing the Impact of MACC's Universal Tuition-Free Education Proposal in Massachusetts.” The report evaluates the inclusivity and fairness of the proposal from the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges, particularly spotlighting its implications for racial and economic equity.
The analysis underscores a significant concern: the proposal, while broad in its appeal and commendable for its intention for universal access, inadvertently risks perpetuating and possibly exacerbating existing racial and economic disparities in educational access and success.
Key findings reveal significant disparities in grant aid distribution based on racial and socioeconomic lines:
Low-income students eligible for Pell Grants are likely to receive smaller grants ranging from $2,300 to $3,000, whereas higher-income students, with annual incomes exceeding $100,000, are expected to receive grants averaging $8,100.
For each dollar allocated to a student of color, a White student receives $1.50.
Although White students make up only 42% of the community college population, they represent 70% of those receiving the highest level of tuition-free grants, with amounts that can reach up to $8,100 per student annually.
The report identifies that the plan’s focus on direct educational costs—such as tuition, fees, books, and supplies— also overlooks the substantial indirect costs—such as room, board, and transportation— that disproportionately burden low-income students who face more severe and varied challenges in accessing and completing higher education.
"Our analysis reveals that while the tuition-free community college initiative is a commendable step towards broader educational accessibility, it inadvertently favors students from moderate to middle-income backgrounds," stated Dr. Bahar Akman Imboden, the report's lead author. "While these students do encounter financial hurdles, their resources and support systems often enable them to overcome these challenges, strengthening their chances of persisting and graduating. In stark contrast, lower-income students receive significantly inadequate support, struggling against a wider array of financial barriers that hinder their academic success. This imbalance challenges the core principle of equity and diminishes the initiative's potential to facilitate meaningful change for those who need it most.”
To address these disparities, the report recommends revising the grant structure to include a larger stipend for living expenses, especially for students facing significant financial barriers. This adjustment aims to cover not only the direct costs of education but also the indirect costs.
Recognizing fiscal realities, the report points to two pathways forward. While reaching an adequate stipend amount may not be feasible immediately, a clear commitment to incrementally increase the stipend over the next few years would demonstrate a firm dedication to equity. Alternatively, introducing an income limit could target the larger stipend towards those who need it most, thereby offsetting the cost. A commitment to move towards universality over time could be made, ensuring that the program progressively aligns with its original inclusive vision.
Recommendations include:
The development of a financial aid system that factors in all educational expenses,
The implementation of targeted aid on a sliding scale prioritizing economically disadvantaged students,
The simplification of aid programs for predictability,
The extension of student financial aid across all public higher education sectors in Massachusetts to empower students to choose their paths based on aspirations rather than financial constraints, and
Bolstering student and instructional support to ensure access to quality education for all.
"By significantly boosting financial aid for those who need it most, the program would achieve more than just a rise in enrollment numbers. It would guarantee that all students, irrespective of their race or income, have the opportunity not only to enroll but also to persist and successfully complete their degrees." states Dr. Imboden.
The Hildreth Institute invites policymakers, educators, education advocates, and community leaders to collaborate in refining and advancing this vital initiative, underscoring the shared commitment to fostering a more equitable and prosperous future for every student in Massachusetts.
Background: The FY24 budget included funds for establishing a working group headed by MACC tasked with generating recommendations for expanding the existing last-dollar free-tuition community college initiative. This group engaged the Boston Consulting Group to assist them and produced a report with their proposed plan released in January.
For additional details on the report and its recommendations, please visit www.hildrethinstitute.org or contact news@hildrethinstitute.org.
About Hildreth Institute:
The Hildreth Institute, a trusted source of independent research, is committed to driving systemic change in higher education by promoting affordability, accountability, and equity, empowering advocates and decision-makers with student-centered, equity-driven policy analysis, thereby fostering an inclusive and transformative educational landscape.
Access Executive Summary and Policy Insight here.
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