MA S950

All 4-year degree-granting higher education institutions in Massachusetts must submit annual reports by December 31 to the Attorney General and Department of Higher Education disclosing admissions preferences for legacy applicants, donor-related applicants, and early decision/early action applicants, along with detailed demographic and financial aid data on enrolled students.

Institutions are prohibited from considering legacy status, donor relationships, or using early decision plans unless they pay a public service fee based on their endowment size, ranging from 0.01% to 0.2% of endowment depending on endowment-per-student ratios.

Minimum public service fees are set at $1 million for institutions with endowments exceeding $1.5 billion and $2 million for those exceeding $2 billion.

Creates the Higher Education Opportunity Trust Fund to receive all collected fees, with proceeds directed to support certificate and degree attainment at Massachusetts public community colleges and state universities.

The Trust Fund will be managed by a 7-member board of trustees (plus 6 non-voting legislative appointees) including education commissioners and governor appointees with expertise in education and labor; the act takes effect July 1, 2026.