Framingham State Part of New “Commonwealth Commitment” Program To Increase College Affordability

Framingham State Part of New “Commonwealth Commitment” Program To Increase College Affordability

Apr 21, 2016

Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito joined public higher education leaders on April 21st to announce the Commonwealth Commitment, an innovative college affordability and completion plan to help more students achieve the dream of a college degree.

The Commonwealth Commitment, the first agreement of its kind in the nation, is a statewide “2+2” plan where students earn an associate's degree in two and a half years or less at one of the state’s 15 community colleges, and then transfer to a state university or UMass campus to earn a baccalaureate degree.

The plan commits every public campus to providing 10 percent rebates at the end of each successfully completed semester to qualifying undergraduate students, for an average savings of $5,090 off the cost of a baccalaureate degree. Also, as part of the Commonwealth Commitment’s goal to increase cost savings and predictability, tuition and mandatory fees will be frozen for program participants as of the date they enter the program.

“We are proud to join with the other 28 public colleges and universities on this innovative effort to contain the cost of a college education,” says Framingham State President F. Javier Cevallos. “Massachusetts has always been a leader when it comes to education and we are committed to providing tremendous value to students and families.”

“I am pleased that our higher education leaders have worked collaboratively to create this program to decrease the cost of a college degree and accelerate on-time completion,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Even though public higher education in Massachusetts is already a great value, the Commonwealth Commitment will make it even easier for students to go to school full-time and to enter the workforce faster and with less debt.”

At the end of every successfully completed semester, students in the Commonwealth Commitment program will earn a 10 percent rebate on tuition and fees, payable in the form of a check, or may opt to receive a voucher to use for books or other education-related expenses. The program does not discount room and board, although students may choose to use their savings or other resources to offset some of those costs.

“The Commonwealth Commitment is a win-win for students, employers, and our public higher education campuses,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Our hope is that through programs like the Commonwealth Commitment, not only will students get the benefit of a lower cost degree, but also be able to fill more of the high-demand job of the future, including in STEM.”

Additional information about the Commonwealth Commitment program is available at www.Mass.edu/MAComCom.

About Framingham State University

Framingham State University was founded in 1839 as the nation’s first public university for the education of teachers. Since that time, it has evolved into a vibrant, comprehensive liberal arts institution offering small, personalized classes on a beautiful New England campus. Today, the University enrolls more than 6,000 students with 58 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, social sciences and professional fields. As a State College and University (SCU), Framingham State prides itself on quality academic programs, affordability, and commitment to access for all qualified students.