Commonwealth Commitment

A commitment to college access, affordability and completion.

The Commonwealth Commitment (through MassTransfer) is an innovative college affordability and completion plan to help more students achieve the dream of a college degree.

The first agreement of its kind in the nation, the plan commits every public campus to pro- viding 10 percent rebates at the end of each successfully completed semester to qualifying undergraduate students, in addition to the standard MassTransfer tuition waiver received upon entering a four-year institution from a Community College.

Several degree programs have become eligible for the Commonwealth Commitment initiative since its inception in 2016 (please see below).

Participating students must be enrolled full-time and are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA. Students who meet the program requirements will, depending on the transfer pathway they choose, be able to realize an average savings of $5,090 off the cost of a baccalaureate degree.

What are the goals?

Boost enrollment and improve transfer rates;
Convert part-time students to full-time;
Improve completion rates;
Give students and families a break on college costs; and
Provide an affordable pathway to a degree via 2 + 2 plans.

How does it work?

Students start at one of the 15 Massachusetts com- munity colleges then progress to a State University or UMass campus;
Students enter one of 16 MassTransfer Pathways or Special Mission Programs; and
Students have 2.5 years to earn an associate degree and must maintain a 3.0 GPA.

What is the Commitment?

Students will receive a 10 percent rebate off tuition and mandatory fees — payable at the end of every successfully completed semester via check or bookstore voucher.
Potential to save thousands of dollars off the cost of a baccalaureate degree.

Eligible Degree Programs

Biology, Business, Chemistry, Communications & Media Studies, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Economics, English, History, Liberal Arts, Mathematics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, STEM Natural/Physical Sciences

Massachusetts Maritime Programs —

Emergency Management, Marine Safety & Environmental Protection, Energy Systems Engineering, Facilities Engineering, International Maritime Business

Massachusetts College of Art & Design Programs —

Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture

Learn More

Commonwealth Commitment details are available on the official website of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education at www.mass.edu/MAComCom.