President Linda Thompson: Investments in Higher Education Will Transform Lives

Originally published in The Republican newspaper.

"As an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in nursing at Wayne State University in Detroit, I found myself in a challenging financial situation. Money was tight. With car repairs, rent, food, tuition, and other bills, I feared the worst. I worked very hard to secure a place at Wayne State. I was a first-generation college student from a poor household. Growing up, money was always tight but now I was offered the opportunity to build a solid career in healthcare. I questioned, would I have to drop out of school to pay my bills? How was I going to secure the resources to continue my education?

Fortunately, Wayne State had opportunities to secure loans for students experiencing financial hardships. I pursued and secured a small loan, and the financial leverage allowed me to continue my studies. I could now continue fulfilling my dream of becoming a nurse.

I graduated from Wayne State with a BSN in nursing and continued my education at Johns Hopkins University earning master’s and doctoral degrees in public health. The financial opportunities offered to me were transformational.

The investments Massachusetts has recently made to our systems of higher education is also likely to be transformational for many of our residents. Earlier this month, Governor Maura Healey signed the Legislature’s $57.8 billion budget that included a historic measure that will change countless lives for the better.

The Commonwealth’s MassEducate program, offering tuition-free community college for all Massachusetts residents, will not only afford more individuals the opportunity to earn a degree, but also provide business, nonprofits, government agencies, and other entities a talent poor that will offer growth to their operations, expand our economy, and create even more jobs. These investments also go beyond the community colleges to include all levels of higher education in the State.

Late last year, Gov. Healey announced the expansion of MASSGrant Plus, making all public colleges and universities in Massachusetts accessible for thousands of students. Pell-Grant eligible students, who have a family adjusted gross annual income of $73,000 or less, can now receive free tuition and fees at Massachusetts’ public colleges and universities.

The plan also allows $1,200 for books and supplies. For families who have annual earnings between $73,000 and $100,000, costs for tuition and mandatory instructional fees are reduced by up to half of out-of-pocket expenses.

The Commonwealth will also provide funding that will impact first-generation students who have been historically excluded from participating in higher education.

The Commonwealth’s Supporting Urgent Community College Equity through Student Services fund, or the SUCCESS fund, was expanded to include four-year state universities. This fund offers support and services for economically disadvantaged students including minority students, LGBTQIA+ students, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities.

 The expansion of the SUCCESS fund will allow us to grow our programming to reach even more students looking to advance their education.

For instance, expansion of SUCCESS will benefit our LEAD Scholars program, or the Leadership, Excellence, Achievement, and Diversity program, which has been active on campus for almost 60 years. The program emphasizes’ the University’s dedication to cultivating excellence in all students, acknowledging their achievements, and celebrating the diversity that enriches the campus community. Formally the Urban Education Program, LEAD Scholars enable our students to take the lead in the classroom and in the campus community, their own communities, and beyond.

To better to respond to workforce development needs, we should consistently monitor our economic climate to develop opportunities for all citizens of the Commonwealth. Expanding our investments in education by providing financial means provides an opening for students who may not have considered college. We are hopeful these funding initiatives will reach those who want to stay in Massachusetts, build businesses, support our economy, and strengthen their families.

Education is transformational. As a young, financially challenged college students in Detroit, I was fortunate to have had the opportunities to secure resources to continue my education. Massachusetts legislators and government officials have taken the correct steps to ensure everyone who decides to pursue higher education is offered that chance."