Mass. rolls out financial aid for undocumented students

Undocumented college students in Massachusetts can now apply for financial aid through a new state program.

Why it matters: Massachusetts is home to more than 11,000 undocumented college students who until now have been shut out of financial aid because of their immigration status.

What's happening: Education officials released the state's own financial aid form, the MASFA , so undocumented students can get help covering the costs of a community college or public university for the 2023-24 school year.

• Applicants have until June 1 to fill out the form, though the state recommends submitting it by May 1, especially for those seeking retroactive aid for the fall.
• Another form will go out for students seeking aid for the next school year.

What they're saying: "This is an opportunity to remove what we know is a significant barrier for historically underrepresented students of higher education," state education secretary Patrick Tutwiler tells Axios.

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