University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan focused on tuition affordability in his second annual State of the University address on Monday.
Meehan pledged to work with Massachusetts businesses to increase scholarships, to embark on a 200-million-dollar capital campaign to increase financial aid, and to expand UMass online education programs and partnerships with non-profits that work with low-income students.
A recent report from the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center indicates the average student debt for those attending public colleges and universities in the state is getting closer to the debt levels of students who attend private institutions.