Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $8.2 Million to Expand Early College Programs Across Massachusetts
Grants will expand access and add up to 44 new Early College partnerships,
doubling the number of participating students to 20,000 by 2028
BOSTON — On the heels of last week’s State of the Commonwealth address in which Governor Maura Healey announced the goal of enrolling 100,000 Early College students by 2036, the administration today is awarding $8.2 million in designated Early College grants that will support an additional 44 new partnerships between high schools and institutions of higher education. Early College allows high school students to take college classes and earn college credit at no cost to them or their families.
These funds will be used to support schools and higher education institutions as they design new Early College programs, expand existing programs, increase staffing and recruitment, and provide professional development. Early college programs are a key part of the administration’s “Reimagining High School” initiative, ensuring Massachusetts students are prepared for college or careers when they graduate high school.
“Early College is one of the strongest tools we have to make higher education more affordable and accessible for our students,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By doubling capacity in the next couple of years, we will be able to help more students—especially first-generation students and students of color—get a real head start on college and careers.”
"Early College doesn’t just save families money, it builds confidence and momentum for students who may not otherwise see themselves on a college campus,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This funding will help communities across the state create new pathways and expand proven programs that are changing students’ lives.”
“Early College helps students connect their education to real-world careers while saving time and money on a college degree,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “By expanding capacity and strengthening supports, we’re giving more students the opportunity to earn college credit, build confidence, and reach their full potential.”
The administration continues to expand designated Early College programs, adding 20
Recently, the administration released new data analysis that shows the state’s investment in Early College is paying off, with 66 percent of Early College graduates immediately enroll in higher education after high school, with the majority enrolling at a public college or university in Massachusetts. Once enrolled in higher education, former Early College are also persisting - with 87 percent staying in college through a second term and 82 percent returning to college for a second year.
“Early College is an important entry point to college, especially for students who might not otherwise attend," said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “I’m excited to see Early College opportunities grow and to expand access for students.
“Early college is essential to growing both college access and student success,” said Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega. “By continuing to grow early college opportunities in Massachusetts, we benefit students, families, communities, and our Commonwealth’s future workforce.”
“The House has long recognized the power of Early College to strengthen postsecondary pathways for students,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “The success of Early College programming reflects the Commonwealth’s commitment to expanding access to higher education, particularly for those who may not see college as within reach. I’m proud to see that students in my district, and across the Commonwealth, will continue to benefit, and I thank Governor Healey for her ongoing support of this important work.”
“Early college programs are a powerful springboard for helping students get to college faster and for less money,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “These new investments will directly benefit MetroWest students at Framingham State University and many others across the entire state. I applaud the Governor for prioritizing these initiatives and look forward to seeing their positive impact on lives across Massachusetts.”
“Early College has long been a priority of the House, and I thank the Governor for prioritizing this investment ” said Representative Alice Peisch (D–Wellesley). “By expanding opportunities for more high school students to earn college credits at no cost, we are helping young people get a strong start on a path to a college degree and long-term success.”
"The Healey-Driscoll Administration's $8.2 million investment in Early College programs strengthens Massachusetts' education and workforce pipeline," said Representative Ken Gordon, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. "By helping students earn college credits and develop career skills early, we’re building a stronger, more competitive workforce that will thrive in the Commonwealth’s economy."
This school year, there are 78 high schools and 32 higher education institutions participating in Early College. Families can use the Massachusetts School Finder to search for schools near them that offer Early College.
The grant recipients are as follows:
Early College Support Grant Awardees
- All 74 existing designated Early College programs received $80,000 to $125,000 to continue their work.
Early College Capacity Grant Awardees received $30,000 each
- Argosy Collegiate Charter School (Fall River)
- Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology (Boston)
- Bridgewater State University
- Bunker Hill Community College
- Framingham State University
- Middlesex Community College
- New Heights Charter School of Brockton
- North Shore Community College
- Northern Essex Community College
- Quincy Public Schools
- Revere Public Schools
- Salem State University
- Springfield Public Schools
- Springfield Technical Community College
- UMass Boston
- Waltham Public Schools
- Westfield Public Schools
Early College Planning Grant Awardees (Fall 2026 launch)
- Boston Public Schools and Roxbury Community College: $25,000
- Bourne Public Schools and Mass Maritime Academy: $25,000
- Brockton Public Schools, Quincy College, and UMass Dartmouth: $75,000
- Burlington Public Schools and Middlesex Community College: $25,000
- Chelmsford Public Schools and Middlesex Community College: $25,000
- Dighton-Rehoboth Public Schools and Bridgewater State University: $25,000
- Greater Lawrence Technical School and Northern Essex Community College: $25,000
- Hudson Public Schools and Worcester State University: $25,000
- Taunton Public Schools and UMass Dartmouth: $25,000
- Woburn Public Schools and UMass Lowell: $25,000
- Dracut Public Schools and UMass Lowell: $25,000
- Greater Lowell Technical High School and UMass Lowell: $25,000
- Salem State University and Chelsea Public Schools: $25,000
- New Bedford Public Schools and Bridgewater State University: $25,000
- Northeast Metro Tech High School and Middlesex Community College: $25,000
- Pittsfield Public Schools and Berkshire Community College: $25,000
- Quincy College, Holbrook Public Schools and Easton Public Schools: $50,000
- Randolph Public Schools and Bridgewater State University: $25,000
- Regis College and Waltham Public Schools: $25,000
- Revere Public Schools and Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology: $25,000
- Shawsheen Valley Technical High School and Middlesex Community College: $25,000
- Southern Berkshire Public Schools and UMass Amherst: $25,000
- Springfield Public Schools and Westfield State University: $50,000
- Wachusett Public Schols and Anna Maria College: $25,000
- Webster Public Schools and Worcester State University: $25,000
- West Springfield Public Schools and Westfield State University: $25,000
- Weymouth Public Schools and Quincy College: $25,000
Early College Planning Grants Awardees (Applying for designation in Fall 2027)
- Boston Public Schools, Roxbury Community College and Wentworth Institute of Technology: $37,678
- Douglas Public Schools and Anna Maria College: $23,839
- Georgetown Public Schools and Northern Essex Community College: $23,839
- Greenfield Public Schools and Greenfield Community College: $23,839
- Hull Public Schools and Quincy College: $23,839
- Easthampton High School and UMass Amherst: $22,368
- Lowell High School and UMass Lowell: $22,368
- Lee Public Schools and Berkshire Community College: $23,839
- Mansfield Public Schols and Quincy College: $23,839
- Mapp Academy Charter School and Bridgewater State University: $23,839
- Middleborough Public Schools and Bridgewater State University: $23,839
- Neighborhood House Charter and Wentworth Institute of Technology: $23,839
- Newton Public Schools and MassBay Community College: $23,839
- Phoenix Academy Public Charter School and Northern Essex Community College: $23,839
- Somerville Public Schools, Bunker Hill Community College and Tufts University: $23,839
- South Shore Charter Public School and Quincy College: $23,839
- Stoughton Public Schools, Bridgewater State University and Curry College: $23,839
- West Boylston Public Schools and Quinsigamond Community College: $23,839
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