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星期四, 3月 30, 2023

波士頓市長吳弭宣佈投資400萬元擴辦波士頓的免費社區學院計畫

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)
              (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 和工人賦權內閣330日宣佈,投資 400 萬美元擴辦免學費社區學院 (TFCC) 計劃。所有波士頓市居民,不分年齡,或身份狀態,申請並獲准進6所社區學院中的任何一所者,都可享有最多3年的免學費等優惠。

                        為因應越來越高的業界認可文憑需求,TFCC現在也為在合作學院修讀諸如醫療健保,再生能源、資訊科技等短至6個月的任何業界認可文憑課程費用。

                      工人賦權長 (Chief of Worker Empowerment) Trinh Nguyen表示,波士頓市把TFCC計畫的資格,擴大給所有居民,將增加社區學院的註冊量,為關鍵工業提供更高技能人才,鼓勵以前的社區學院學生重新入學。

                    6所社區學院為邦克丘 (Bunker)MassasoitMassBayRoxburt等社區學院和波士頓市區學院 (Urban College of Boston),以及班傑明法蘭克林科技學院 (Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology)

                    波士頓市府聲明稱,申請入學者,不再需要分別填寫申請表,合作院校發現收入符合資格的波士頓居民,都會主動代為申請這些財務資助。波士頓市府也將和一個為移民服務的非牟利機構合作,。

                     TFCC計畫現在還將支付申請者修讀短期文憑課程的費用,如果有學生因為未清債務無法再次註冊入學,TFCC將開始為這些學生償還最高2500債務。TFCC也將繼續支付每學期250元的津貼給獲選學生。

                   波士頓市府稱,從2016年迄今,TFCC計畫共協助了1000多名學生。

                    波士頓市政府擴辦免費社區學院計畫的經費,有300萬元來自聯邦美國援救計劃法 (ARPA)100萬元來自國會議員普利斯萊 (Ayanna Pressley)去年爭取來的社區計畫經費。

                    波士頓市府同時宣佈,和麻州藝術設計學院 (Massachusetts College of Art and Design) 合作一試驗計畫,為符合 PELLTFCC計畫資格,曾獲該校錄取的學生,以轉學生身份從合作的社區學院轉學入讀該校,讓中低收入學生有更多機會以可負擔價格完成學市學位課程。

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES $4 MILLION INVESTMENT TO EXPAND BOSTON’S TUITION FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE PLAN

 All residents are now eligible to pursue an associates degree program or a short-term certificate program free of cost at one of six partner community colleges 

 

BOSTON - Thursday, March 30, 2023 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Worker Empowerment Cabinet today announced a $4 million investment to expand the Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) Plan, a City initiative that pays for up to three years of college for Boston’s income-eligible students. The expanded plan will cover costs for all residents – regardless of their year of graduation, income, or immigration status – enrolled in an associate degree program or a short-term certificate program at one of six partner colleges. Mayor Wu made this announcement today at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), a new institution that has launched a pilot program in partnership with the City of Boston. 

"Expanding Boston's Tuition Free Community College is a critical step in ensuring more of our city's residents are eligible to pursue a higher education right here in the City. This funding will  increase community college enrollment, and connect more residents with quality jobs," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "I want to thank Congresswoman Pressley for her leadership and all of our partner institutions for their critical work ensuring that we are closing gaps and expanding access to education for all.” 

Managed by the Office of Workforce Development (OWD), a department within the Worker Empowerment Cabinet, the Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) Plan covers the balance owed after financial aid and other funding has been applied and provides students with a stipend at six partner community colleges: Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology, Bunker Hill Community College, Massasoit Community College, MassBay Community College, Roxbury Community College, and Urban College of Boston. TFCC will continue providing selected students with a $250 stipend per semester for up to three years. 

This $4 million investment is funded by $3 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and an additional $1 million investment is made possible through the Community Project Funding secured by U.S. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley last year. With this new investment, TFCC will now start paying off up to $2,500 of debt for students with an outstanding balance at a partner college if the balance prevents them from re-enrolling.  

“Not only will expanding Boston’s tuition-free community college program help more students earn a college degree, but it will also help us address the college affordability crisis,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. “I am proud to have secured these federal funds to expand this program, and I’m grateful to Mayor Wu, Mayor Janey, community leaders, and our students for their close partnership.” 

“By spending Boston’s American Rescue Plan funds on tuition-free community college, we’re making a long-term investment in Boston’s greatest resource, our people,” said City Councilor Kenzie Bok, chair of the Council’s Committee on Boston’s Covid-19 Recovery. “I’m very proud that the Council and the Mayor could work together with Congresswoman Pressley to expand resident access to free high-quality educational opportunities, which is critical to bridging economic and racial inequality while meeting the needs of our growing industries. This initiative will have huge positive ripple effects in our local economy and community.” 

This expansion aims to address the pandemic’s impact on community college enrollment, completion rates, and eliminate barriers to re-enrollment for aspiring students. Since 2016, the program has served over 1,000 students. With these investments, TFCC’s eligibility requirements will now include all Boston residents, including older adults and undocumented immigrants. The City of Boston will be partnering with an immigrant-serving organization to provide support directly to undocumented students seeking to take advantage of the program. 

“All immigrants are key members of our community who contribute to our vibrant culture and economy,” said Monique Tú Nguyen, Executive Director of the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement. “They kept our essential industries running throughout the pandemic, despite the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on our BIPOC communities. Providing equal access to all residents, regardless of migratory status, honors their current contributions and invests in their potential in shaping Boston’s future. Now that all Bostonians are eligible to take tuition free community college classes – we hope many undocumented residents will enroll in this program.” 

In an effort to meet the growing demand for industry-recognized certification, TFCC will now cover costs for any short-term certificate programs at its partner colleges that lead to an industry recognized credential. Certifications offer a pathway to in-demand, quality employment but are often not covered by federal financial aid. With the addition of short term certifications, students have the opportunity to receive credentials in industries such as healthcare, renewable energy, and information technology in as little as six months.  

"Boston is expanding TFCC eligibility to include all residents, which will increase community college enrollment, facilitate upskilling in key industries, and re-engage former community college students by incentivizing them to re-enroll," said Trinh Nguyen, Chief of Worker Empowerment. "Everyone deserves access to higher education and credentials that lead to quality, good paying jobs." 

The City has also launched a pilot program in partnership with the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt). The program will cover tuition, fees, and mandatory supplies for PELL-eligible students transferring from a partner community college to a bachelor's degree program at MassArt. The college will also provide wrap-around services and coaching for students through their existing transfer support program. The MassArt pilot program is open to students who meet the transfer admissions and TFCC eligibility requirements. This partnership aims to make the completion of a bachelor's degree more accessible and affordable for low to moderate income students. 

“As MassArt celebrates its 150th anniversary, we are proud to partner with Mayor Wu and the City of Boston to provide access to a world class education in art, design and art education that is affordable to everyone admitted here,” said Dr. Mary Grant, MassArt President. “Removing economic barriers for these students ensures that these future artists, designers, makers, and innovators will enhance the economic, creative, and cultural vitality of the City and beyond.” 

This announcement complements Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston Public Schools’ (BPS) announcement last year regarding a partnership with higher education institutions and employers across Boston, adding six new Early College and Innovation Pathway programs for the 2022-2023 school year. These programs provide new opportunities for BPS students to gain foundational college credits and work experience while still in high school in fields ranging from life sciences and health care, to computer science and finance. Since that announcement, Boston Public Schools continues its efforts to expand high-quality college and career pathways, most recently celebrating the designation of fourth new Early College pathways at Boston Community Leadership Academy, Brighton High School, Fenway High School, and New Mission High School set to launch in the 2023-2024 school year.  

Early College programs are a critical strategy in increasing the number of Boston Public Schools graduates who enroll in post-secondary education and obtain a first credential of value and we are seeing tremendous gains across the Commonwealth.  

"Expanding access to tuition-free community college in Boston is a vital milestone in equipping our city's residents with the tools they need to pursue their dreams and secure a brighter future,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. “By removing a financial barrier, this investment adds another option for our students to access a postsecondary opportunity immediately following high school graduation and increase our overall college-going rates. Having a professional certification and credentials will also enable individuals to access high-quality jobs in high-demand industries. I extend my gratitude to Mayor Wu and Congresswoman Pressley for their unwavering commitment to this cause and our partner institutions' tireless efforts to close gaps and advance equitable access to education." 

There is no longer a separate application required for the Tuition Free Community College (TFCC) Plan. Students simply need to apply and be admitted to their desired program, and the partner colleges will identify Boston residents and apply the funds as a part of their financial aid process. This approach streamlines the implementation of the funds by eliminating administrative barriers.  

To learn more about the TFCC Plan expansion, visit boston.gov/tuition-free.

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