Latest news with #NewBedfordHighSchool
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State ed. officials visit New Bedford High to talk free and more affordable college
NEW BEDFORD – State education officials stopped by New Bedford High School Monday to spread the word about free and affordable college in Massachusetts and 'historic' financial aid opportunities. It's part of a month-long itinerary of visits to high schools, dubbed the 'Higher Education Financial Aid Road Show.' But the presentation by Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler and Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega to a roomful of mostly juniors and some seniors seemed a bit like an economics class. Zero, the total money in tuition and fees needed to attend a Massachusetts community college. $400 million, the amount of financial aid available in Massachusetts, up from $179 million over the last two years. $1 million, the higher earning potential over a lifetime for a person with a bachelor's degree vs. someone without one. $2,400, the total available in funds for other needs like books to community college students that includes $1,200 if they qualify for a Pell Grant. Tutwiler noted that attendance at the state's nine state universities – including Bridgewater State University – and the four UMass schools – including UMass Dartmouth – can also be tuition-and-fee free for eligible students. Ortega said if the students have Pell Grant eligibility, they can go tuition-and-fee free and qualify for a $1,200 stipend. If they don't qualify, but parents make less than $100,000 per year, the student could get half off tuition and fees and could also qualify for other financial aid programs. One number they provided Monday was problematic, though: 51%. That's the number of Massachusetts high school graduates who filled out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid last year. It needs to be completed for a student to tap into the financial aid available. And there was a number that went with that: over 90%. That's the percentage of students who completed their FAFSAs who then went onto college. Ortega handed out one homework assignment to the students at the end of the hour-long program: 'Tell one other person about what you heard today.' Students can learn more about state financial aid by visiting Following the presentation, Tutwiler and Ortega said there were concerns with what's happening at the federal level with education while talking with reporters. Tutwiler said, 'Generally speaking, yes. We remain deeply concerned about all the uncertainty that's been sown with recent decisions, messages, dear colleague letters, executive orders, and so we're absolutely concerned. And we can't quite tell what the future holds. We know in Massachusetts we're doing incredible work to ensure pathways to higher education and we are concerned about the impact if the federal government decides to make a decision that's anti.' Asked if President Trump's promise to dismantle the federal Dept. of Education could affect financial aid in Massachusetts, Tutwiler said, 'Absolutely. Massachusetts receives about $2 billion from the federal government to support a lot of different education initiatives, many of which are designed to support some of our most vulnerable populations. If the federal Dept. of Education is dismantled, we worry deeply about that, and we also worry – really about the top line for the federal Dept. of Education – which is protecting the rights of our most vulnerable populations, students with disabilities, multi-lingual learners.' Ortega added what gave them confidence was 'we continue to remain committed to equity and access and affordability and that commitment is shared by a number of folks. That gives us great confidence of renewed investment, at least at the state level, as we wait to hear more from the federal level.' This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: State education officials laud financial aid, but wary of Trump plans
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Stronger today': New Bedford's growth, momentum underscored in State of the City address
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) — New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell delivered his State of the City address on Wednesday, highlighting several milestones reached in the past year, as well as some announcements for 2025. With more than 500 people in attendance, Mitchell said New Bedford is 'stronger today than it was a year ago.' 'Despite all the sound and fury at the national level, our city forged ahead,' he said. 'In the tumultuous year that just passed, we demonstrated again to ourselves that we can succeed when we keep our eye on the ball.' Over the last year, key projects including the North Terminal ribbon cutting, expanding the city's Marine Commerce Terminal, constructing the city's first regulation-size soccer field and redesigning Ashley Park were completed. Additionally, Mitchell said progress was made on transportation projects including the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge, the pedestrian bridge over JFK Boulevard, the Route 195 Viaduct, and intercity rail service between New Bedford and Boston. MORE: Express service connecting New Bedford, Fall River returns According to Mitchell, more housing units were completed in New Bedford in 2024 than any year in recent memory. Crime and structure fire rates also reportedly plummeted last year. Mitchell said almost every school in the district that's older than two decades has either undergone renovations or will soon receive upgrades. RELATED: New Bedford High School unveils new athletic field This year, the New Bedford Economic Develop Council is expected to develop a 'road map' to grow the city's manufacturing sector. 'We are in a better position to expand manufacturing than in a long time,' Mitchell said. 'We in New Bedford have a long, rich history of making things, and that we will continue to do.' The Regeneration Committee, led by Tony Sapienza and Maureen Armstrong, is also in the process of creating a new strategic plan aiming to enhance the New Bedford's opportunities in manufacturing, health care, culture and forward the economy. The mayor said a proposal, which he described as a 'fair measure to promote accountability,' will be resubmitted to city council to adopt a state law regarding health insurance negotiations between unions and the city that could save taxpayers millions of dollars. He also touched on offering suburbs help to build multifamily homes, saying the city will continue working with towns to help remove barriers preventing the increase of housing. READ: New Bedford enhances first-time homebuyer program Mitchell announced the release of New Bedford's first comprehensive data strategy, as well as the city's new mobile app, 'NBConnected.' The strategy was developed in conjunction with Bloomberg and Johns Hopkins University to guide the city government's collection, use and publication of data to enhance efficiencies and communication. 'The better decisions we make based on data, the more efficiently we spend taxpayer dollars,' Mitchell added. 'As residents are able to see more clearly what they're getting for their money, it will engender trust, which we can't have enough of these days.' NBConnected is expected to launch in the coming weeks, placing city services at residents' fingertips such as paying bills and parking, applying for permits and submitting non-emergency service requests. During his remarks, Mitchell pledged to 'get things done' for the community, building a New Bedford where 'everyone feeling like they belong.' He stressed the importance of public safety, access to safe and affordable housing, a strong fiscal foundation, pathways to education and opportunity, maritime economy and the offshore wind industry, and repairing roadways and infrastructure. Mitchell concluded his address by emphasizing cooperation between government and residents to make New Bedford a place where people can thrive. 'It's the neighborhood groups that come together to work on the more local of problems. It's the volunteers for turkey drives at Thanksgiving,' he said. 'Whether it's out of pride, generosity, duty or love, or all of the above, each of us has ample reason to play a part.' 12 News: SE Mass – New Bedford Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
