Mass. To Offer Tuition Rebates For Community College, State University Students

BOSTON (CBS/AP) — Massachusetts plans to offer tuition rebates to full-time, qualifying students who begin their studies at a community college and go on to earn a bachelor's degree at a state university.

Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and state higher educational officials announced what they called a first-in-the-nation program, dubbed Commonwealth Commitment, on Thursday morning at Middlesex Community College in Lowell.

Gov. Baker said the program's goal was "to create a pathway for young men and women that could give them an opportunity to significantly reduce their cost of a four-year degree."

Students from any of the state's 15 community colleges who enroll in one of two dozen fields of study would receive a 10 percent rebate on tuition and fees each semester, provided they maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

"For kids who pursue this opportunity, it could be anywhere from a 20- to a 35-percent reduction in their total cost of a four-year degree," said Gov. Baker.

To continue in the program, students must earn an associate degree from the community college in 2 1/2 years or less, and complete their bachelor's degree at any state university within 4 1/2 years.

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WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports