NEBHE’s Redesigning Student Aid in New England (Redesigning Aid) project was funded by Lumina Foundation to work with three New England states – Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island to redesign and align their student financial aid policies, priorities and programs with state needs to increase postsecondary attainment.

Reports & Activities

Massachusetts Board of Higher Education PresentationRedesigning State Financial Aid: Simplifying Process and Maximizing Impact, Part 2, May 1, 2018
At the May 1, 2018 Board of Higher Education meeting, Clantha McCurdy, Senior Deputy Commissioner, Access and Student Financial Assistance, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education summarized for Board members the Massachusetts Financial Aid Study recommendations and action steps that will be taken to address those recommendations.

Massachusetts Board of Higher Education PresentationRedesigning State Financial Aid: Simplifying Process and Maximizing Impact, March 6, 2018
At the March 6, 2018 Board of Higher Education meeting Bridget Terry Long provided a summary of the Massachusetts Student Financial Aid Study. The study included: analysis of the extent to which current financial aid programs are meeting residents’ needs; identification of opportunities to create efficiencies identification of opportunities to simplify the aid process for families; and forecast of future state financial aid needs, projected demographics/socioeconomic changes.

Massachusetts Student Financial Aid Study, October 10, 2017
As part of Redesigning Aid, NEBHE with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s Office of State Financial Aid co-funded a study of the Massachusetts State Financial Aid Program. Dean Bridget Terry Long and PhD Candidate, Monnica Chan from the Harvard Graduate School of Education prepared the study.

Strengthening State Investment in College Affordability: Insights and Recommendations from Redesigning Student Aid in New England, February 2016
Drawn from discussions of the project’s Regional Advisory Council, this report shares key insights from Redesigning Aid and recommendations for how higher education leaders can strengthen state investment in college affordability.

The State of Maine Grant Impact Study Preliminary Findings, June 2015
These preliminary findings of NEBHE’s study of the State of Maine Grant program identify who the grant serves and how grant recipients persist through college and complete a postsecondary credential. The report aims to inform Maine grant administrators and state policymakers as they consider areas for project-supported further study.

The Rhode Island State Grant Impact Study Preliminary Findings, June 2015
These preliminary findings of NEBHE’s study of the Rhode Island State Grant program identify some of the ways the state grant affects student access, persistence, and completion. It aims to inform project-supported next steps for Rhode Island grant administrators and state policymakers.