MassReconnect, Massachusetts’s free community college program for non-degree holders over 25, has proven so successful that now some state legislators are looking to extend the offer to all Massachusetts residents who don’t hold a degree—regardless of age or income.

Though free college has become an increasingly popular policy position in recent years, if MassEducate passes, Massachusetts would be the first state to offer universal free access to community colleges.

The Class of 2024 faced a chaotic financial aid application process, and the number of students who completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is still down 15.5 percent from the same time last year.

Higher education experts and policy advocates are now lobbying federal lawmakers to ensure that FAFSA’s woes and the ensuing completion gap do not continue into the next admissions cycle.

Athens Marron’s participation in a federal grant program for Hispanic Serving Institutions gave him a sense of belonging, putting him and other Latino students on a solid path to graduation. 

Some of these programs may expand with new funding, while others scale down, surviving only through the efforts of students or faculty. But experts say that to truly serve Latino students and improve their outcomes, campuses must create programs that can keep running even after grant funding dries up.