By Bob Katzen

A bill heard by the Higher Education Committee would provide tuition and fee waivers for any Bay State resident attending a Massachusetts public state university and who lives with a grandparent or other family member, other than their parents.

“The bill would provide much-needed financial relief for young adults pursuing higher education in the commonwealth who were raised by family members other than their parents – such as grandparents,” said Senate sponsor Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro).

“Foster children under Department of Children and Families (DCF) care have been entitled to a tuition-free education at state-schools for several years,” said House sponsor Rep. Paul Donato (D-Medford). “With 35,000 grandparents raising their grandchildren throughout the commonwealth, this legislation will allow students being raised by their grandparents to have an equal opportunity to a tuition-free education as their peers in DCF care.”