The Joint Committee on Higher Education convened on July 18, 2025, to discuss critical issues affecting students in Massachusetts, particularly those in foster care and kinship care. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for legislative support to improve educational outcomes for these vulnerable populations.

A significant focus was on the RISE program, which provides high-dosage tutoring aimed at enhancing literacy for students in foster care. Testimonies revealed alarming statistics: only 57 percent of students in foster care graduate high school on time, compared to 89 percent of their peers. Furthermore, while over 70 percent of these students aspire to pursue higher education, only about 20 percent enroll in college, and less than 5 percent graduate. The barriers to higher education for these students are primarily financial, prompting discussions around a proposed bill aimed at closing gaps in tuition and fee waivers.

Advocates emphasized that the current tuition waiver program often fails to cover essential courses, particularly those scheduled outside traditional hours, which can hinder students' ability to complete their degrees. The proposed legislation seeks to address these issues, allowing students to pursue their educational goals without the burden of unexpected costs.

Elaine Arsenault, a guardian advocating for kinship care, shared her personal experience of raising her granddaughter, Shelby, who dreams of studying psychology. She underscored the importance of extending tuition waivers to children living with relatives, arguing that such support recognizes the value of kinship care and alleviates financial barriers to higher education.

Deirdre Cummings, representing MASPIRG, also testified in support of House Bill 1427, which aims to reduce college costs. This bill, along with the proposed changes to the tuition waiver program, reflects a growing recognition of the unique challenges faced by students in foster care and those raised by relatives.

The committee's discussions underscored a commitment to improving educational access and outcomes for marginalized students in Massachusetts. As the legislative process continues, advocates remain hopeful that these measures will provide essential support to help young people achieve their academic and vocational aspirations.