MASSGrant的申請截止日期展延至七月一日

              (Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州政府宣佈，州政府高等教育局 (DHE)的升學補助MASSGrant，申請截止日期，現從五月一日展延至七月一日。         

              麻州政府表示，這是因應FAFSA(免費申請聯邦學生援助)的表格大幅度更新後，學生們在填表上面對很多挑戰，為確保學生們有足夠時間填妥表格，完成申請，特地展延截止日期，以期需要資金援助的學生都能申請到補助。

              因移民身份而無法完成FAFSA的學生可以完成MASFA以申請麻州基於需求的經濟援助。

              麻州教育廳廳長Patrick Tutwiler表示，Healey-Driscoll政府和麻州議會合作，致力幫助學生接受高等教育。他們希望學生們藉由申請財務援助，可以擴大以更可負擔方式上大專院校的機會。

              麻州政府在2023年8月時推出了MassReconnect (麻州重新連繫)這項目，讓25歲以上，之前沒有大專院校學歷者，都可以免學雜費的上社區大專院校。接著在2023年11月，州政府又推出了MASSGrant Plus Expansion (擴大麻州補助)計畫，為所有在公立麻州大學及學院就讀，符合培爾補助 (Pell Grant)資格的學生們，免除學費及雜費 (不包括食宿費)，另外還提供1200元書本用品津貼。此舉讓年收入在7萬3千元到10萬元的中等收入家庭，學雜費負擔減半。

              麻州參議會議長Karen E. Spika，參眾兩會高等教育聯席委員會的參議會主席Jo Comerford，眾議會主席Dave Rogers，參眾兩會教育聯席委員會的參議會主席Jason Lewis，眾議會主席Denise Garlick，以及中小學教育局代理局長Russell D. Johnston都為此稱許奚莉州長 (Maura Healey)和Kim Driscoll副州長。

              麻州政府還特地為學生及家長們提供了填表援助資源，包括可連繫為低收入家庭及第一代上大學學生服務的MassEdCO，只要在這麻州教育及職業機會公司的網站上，輸入區域編號 (zip code)，就可找到相關資訊。

              或者是觀看” FAFSA如何”的視頻；參加”麻州FAFSA日”: fafsaday@gmail.com ；撥打電話(800) 449-MEFA (6332)，發電郵到 collegeplanning@mefa.org ，給麻州教育性財務援助局 ( The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority )；撥打電話 (617) 391-6070，發電郵 osfa@osfa.mass.edu，到麻州高等教育局 的學生財務援助辦公室。

          學生們還可以參加麻州FAFSA日活動。麻州高等教育局建議學生及其家庭在參加活動前的至少一星期，先設立一個聯邦學生援助 (FSA) 帳號，藉以登入網站，完成填表。激活該帳號需要幾天的時間，所以最好在一星期以前就先設立帳號。如果在設立帳號上需要協助，可以上網studentaid.gov。最好把社會安全號碼也準備著。

          另外是登記參加”完成FAFSA”的活動，在4月30日或5月13日，登記參加免費的網上”麻州FAFSA日”。在麻州中小學教育局 (DESE)的網站上也有類似活動。另一個方法是諮詢學校裏的輔導員，問問在自己所居住社區有沒有即將要辦理的FAFSA填表活動。

          然後就是要準備文件，可點擊下列網址，參考該準備哪些文件。 https://www.doe.mass.edu/FinancialAid/basics.html?utm_source=DHE+Newsletters+Subscribers&utm_campaign=c388ee43d0-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_04_17_04_30&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-c388ee43d0-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D。

Healey-Driscoll Administration Extends State Financial Aid Priority Deadline to July 1

Students are encourage to complete and submit their FAFSAs as soon as possible 

BOSTON - In alignment with the Biden-Harris Administration’s call to support students in completing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that the Department of Higher Education (DHE) has moved the priority deadline for its largest state financial aid program, MASSGrant, from May 1 to July 1, 2024. This later deadline gives Massachusetts students more time to complete their FAFSA for the 2024-2025 academic year.
 
MASSGrant is a need-based financial aid program that helps to cover educational expenses at state public and private colleges and universities. During FAFSA Week of Action, the administration is encouraging students to complete their FAFSA as soon as possible.
 
“Massachusetts is home to the greatest higher education institutions in the world, but we need to make sure that students are able to access that education. That’s why our administration has taken action to significantly expand financial aid,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are extending the MASSGrant deadline to ensure that students who qualify for this financial aid have enough time and support to apply and do not leave money on the table.”
  
“Many students’ post-high school plans rest on whether or not they receive the financial aid needed to make going to college a reality,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This year’s updated deadline supports students who have reported challenges completing this year’s new FAFSA, and the move is part of larger efforts to remove financial barriers to the life-changing opportunities that higher education offers.”   
 
The extended priority deadline for MASSGrant comes in response to challenges that students are facing as they work to complete the significantly updated FAFSA. Students who qualify for MASSGrant and apply by the July 1, 2024 priority deadline are guaranteed to receive financial assistance from this program. Students who cannot complete the FAFSA due to their immigration status can complete the MASFA to apply for state need-based financial aid. 
   
“We’re happy to allow more time for FAFSA completion this year to support our students, families, and those in our K-12 schools and educational community who work tirelessly to help with FAFSA completion,” said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration, in partnership with the Legislature, is committed to helping students access higher education. We are hopeful that students will apply for financial aid and take advantage of the many expanded opportunities to attend college more affordably.”  
  
“Our message to students and families continues to remain the same: fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “This year’s extended deadline responds to feedback from students, campuses and other partners about this year’s unique challenges with FAFSA completion. We want students to know there are significant financial aid dollars available for those who qualify, and that persevering through completing the FAFSA is worth it.”  
 
“This updated MASSGrant priority deadline is welcome news,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Acting Commissioner Russell D. Johnston. “I hope students, especially first generation college students, will see the extended deadline and the Administration’s significant expansion of financial aid and realize that public higher education is within reach.”   
 
Along with Massachusetts’ longstanding MASSGrant program, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has brought historic increases in student financial aid. In August 2023, the administration launched MassReconnect, which makes community college tuition and fees free for students ages 25 and older without prior degrees, regardless of income. Then in November 2023, the administration launched MASSGrant Plus Expansion that provides free tuition and fees to Pell Grant-eligible students at all Massachusetts public colleges and universities (not including room and board) along with a $1,200 allowance for books and supplies. The expansion of MASSGrant Plus also cuts tuition and fees in half for middle-income families earning an adjusted gross income between $73,000 and $100,000 annually.   

“Extending the MASSGrant deadline puts higher education within reach for more students and families in our Commonwealth at a moment when we should be doing everything in our power to make college accessible to every resident. I’m proud to live in a Commonwealth where education is a priority, and I applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration for extending this deadline and giving families more time to complete their FAFSA,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland).

"As a former public school teacher, I understand firsthand the importance of ensuring equitable access to education," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). "I applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration for extending the state's application deadline as it will be impactful for students most in need of financial support to make college a reality."
 
"I applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration's action to ensure as many students as possible have the opportunity to complete a FAFSA and to keep the doors to higher education wide open to students regardless of their financial situation,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Amherst), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education.

“The college application process has always been a challenging time for students and their families, this year made more difficult by the new FAFSA form rollout,” said House Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education Dave Rogers (D-Cambridge). “I commend the Healey-Driscoll Administration for extending the MASSGrant priority deadline and, more generally, for partnering with the House to expand access to higher education significantly.”

“We should be doing everything in our power to make applying to college and financial aid as accessible and simple as possible, said State Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “I am proud that the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the State Legislature have been allocating significant funding and resources to make public higher education more accessible in Massachusetts. Extending the priority deadline for MASSGrant will allow more students to receive this financial support from the state to be able to attend college.”

“I join with my colleagues in the House of Representatives as we welcome all tools available to aid students and their families to meet the challenges of financial concerns and, more importantly, the great opportunities of higher education,” said State Representative Denise Garlick, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education.
 
How to complete the FAFSA for students and their families  

· High school students are encouraged to inquire with their school counselor about applying for financial aid and applying to college. Additional resources are available for students looking for assistance completing the FAFSA, including the below contacts:   

· MassEdCO serves students who are low-income and first-generation to college. Students can find local assistance with college access by entering their zip code on the MassEdCO website: Massachusetts Education & Career Opportunities, Inc. (MassEdCo). 

· Watch the “FAFSA How to” videos.

· FAFSA Day Massachusetts: fafsaday@gmail.com   

· The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA): (800) 449-MEFA (6332), collegeplanning@mefa.org   

· The Department of Higher Education’s Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA): (617) 391-6070, osfa@osfa.mass.edu   

Students are encouraged to attend an upcoming free, virtual FAFSA Day MA event, where they can receive personalized help from a financial aid professional. DHE recommends these three steps to students and families:     

1.      Create an FSA ID. At least a week before attending a FAFSA completion event, create your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID if you don’t have one. This ID allows you to log in and complete a FAFSA. It takes a few days for your account to be activated, so please start this process a week in advance of trying to complete your FAFSA. For instructions on creating the FSA ID, visit studentaid.gov. If applicable, have your Social Security number ready.   

2.      Sign up for a FAFSA completion event. Sign up for a virtual, free FAFSA Day MA event on April 30 or May 13 by following this link. You can look for similar events on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) website. Another option is to ask your school counselor if there are any upcoming FAFSA completion events in your community.   

3.      Gather your documents. Visit this link for a list of documents you should have with you when you complete the FAFSA. You do NOT need to submit these items to the federal government, but you may need the information on them.