Governor Healey Condemns Trump Administration Decision to Strip Massachusetts Veterans of College Program
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today criticized the Trump Administration’s abrupt mid-cycle cancellation of the Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) grant at Suffolk University. The program is Massachusetts’ only federally funded pre-college program exclusively serving veterans.
For nearly two decades, Suffolk’s VUB program has prepared 125 veterans each year to pursue college and build civilian careers by offering free academic instruction, tutoring, financial literacy and personalized advising. The program consistently exceeded federal performance benchmarks, with 80 percent of participants demonstrating academic improvement, 87 percent completing or persisting in the program, and 100 percent of completers enrolling in college within a year.
“President Trump is failing our veterans,” said Governor Maura Healey. “He has already cut veterans services and cost them jobs, and now he’s ending a program that was helping our veterans afford college and build their careers. Massachusetts will continue do everything we can to stand up for our veterans.”
“This is an insult to those who served,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Programs like Veterans Upward Bound make higher education possible for those who sacrificed for our country. Ending this program hurts our veterans trying to finish degrees, transition to new careers, and support their families.”
"Taking away money from veterans — on the ridiculous basis that peer support gatherings for veterans are ‘woke' restorative justice — is ludicrous,” said Congressman Seth Moulton. “We should be doing everything we can to support our veterans who gave so much for this country. The Trump Administration’s disdain for our veterans is offensive and disgraceful."
“Massachusetts is building a new model of veterans services that meets veterans where they are, and education is central to that mission,” said Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago. “While we push the federal government to reverse this harmful decision, we will work with Suffolk and higher education partners to keep veterans connected to the support and resources they need.”
“This cruel grant cancellation is another example of the Trump Administration’s efforts to hurt students and dismantle long existing federal supports that enable all students to access and persist through higher education. The fall academic term is already underway. We urge the U.S. Department of Education to reinstate this grant – our veterans deserve this counseling, mentoring, and tutoring supports to help them meet their economic mobility goals,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.
“Because they took time from their academic paths to serve our country, veterans have unique needs when it comes to readjustment to civilian life and academic spaces, and supports like Veterans Upward Bound are critical,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “This deeply problematic grant cancellation is harmful to those who have served our country and have tremendous knowledge and leadership skills to contribute on our campuses, in our professions and in our communities.”
The U.S. Department of Education reportedly cited Suffolk’s use of the term “restorative justice” to describe its VetConnect peer-support gatherings — neutral circles designed to strengthen veterans’ resilience and build community — as grounds for ending the grant. These gatherings mirror longstanding Department of Veterans Affairs models of veteran-to-veteran support.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration is working closely with Suffolk University, the Massachusetts congressional delegation, and veterans’ advocates to push for reinstatement of the grant and to identify short-term support for impacted veterans.
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