Commission on Higher Education Quality and Affordability (CHEQA)

Background

Section 215 of the Massachusetts Fiscal Year 2025 budget created a Commission on Higher Education Quality and Affordability. The 21-member group of higher education, business, civil rights, and other stakeholders is charged with reviewing, evaluating, and making recommendations on:

• State [higher education] assistance programs and funding, including, but not limited to, aid for tuition, fees, books, supplies and other costs of attendance … to ensure the accessibility and affordability of higher education institutions and how to achieve best outcomes;
• Student costs and debts during and after attending said universities;
• Programs that improve student success, including, but not limited to, academic support, career counselling, assistance with applying for state and federal benefits and improvements to facilities;
• Improvements needed to increase the recruitment and retention of qualified adjunct and full-time faculty and staff; and
• Financial assistance program design and models to efficiently increase state assistance, improve outcomes and reduce student costs

Commission Members