H 4409
An Act to facilitate student financial assistance
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Bill overview
This bill requires all public high schools in Massachusetts to encourage and, in many cases, require students to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before graduation. It establishes a process for students who may not be required to complete the FAFSA, including those who receive a signed exemption form from their parents or guardians, or those whose schools file a supporting form. The bill also creates a dedicated trust fund to support districts in assisting students, parents, and guardians with the FAFSA process, particularly in underserved communities.
Key provisions
- Requires high schools to encourage students to complete and submit the FAFSA.
- Allows students to opt-out of FAFSA submission with parental/guardian consent or if they are 18 or older.
- Establishes standardized forms for parents/guardians and schools to document exemptions.
- Creates a dedicated trust fund (the FAFSA Trust Fund) to support FAFSA assistance.
- The fund will be administered by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.
- The fund can be supported by appropriations, interest, and private donations.
- The Commissioner will report annually on the fund's activity, including revenue, expenditures, and grant distributions.
- Requires school districts to track and report data on FAFSA completion rates, broken down by various demographic categories.
Who is affected
- High school students
- Parents/Guardians of high school students
- Public school districts in Massachusetts
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on Higher Education
Cosponsors
Andres X. Vargas
David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf
Joanne M. Comerford
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Bill H.4409 194th (Current)
An Act to facilitate student financial assistance
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Higher Education Status: Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means
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Bill History Cosponsors Committee Vote Committee Summary
Bill History
Displaying 3 actions for Bill H.4409
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 8/28/2025 | House | Reported from the committee on Higher Education |
| 8/28/2025 | House | New draft of H1467 |
| 8/28/2025 | House | Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means |
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