UMass proposing tuition freeze for all in-state students for the upcoming academic year

BOSTON — The President of the University of Massachusetts is proposing a tuition freeze for all in-state students for the upcoming academic year.

Massachusetts families with students enrolled there tell Boston 25 news if the freeze is given the green light, it would mean a big sigh of relief for them.

“Especially being furloughed, I think this would give people a little bit of relief and comfort knowing I can try to save this ‘X’ amount of money,” said Wendi McGrath, parent of UMass Amherst student.

Lauren McGrath just wrapped up her freshman year at the university, although it wasn’t how she pictured it.

“It’s just hard to transition from getting help from TA’s face to face with professors, to online school and you’re doing it all alone,” said Lauren.

But things could look a bit different come fall, President of the University Marty Meehan announced he will be recommending a tuition freeze for the upcoming academic year. This would be for the nearly 50,000 in-state students and Lauren would be one of them.

“I think that would be great because a lot of people are experiencing furloughs and job loss so even if we’d have to pay it back in the end, I think it would give me a chance to breathe,” said Lauren.

President Meehan said in a statement, “In addition to keeping tuition at current levels, we are taking steps to ensure that those students facing the steepest financial challenges will not see their dream of earning a UMass degree cut short.”

The McGraths have two children in college and a high school senior. Wendi said keeping those hefty August tuition payments the same, instead of going up would relieve a lot of stress during these unknown times.

“We’ve been discussing this as a family, what’s our next step, penny pitch everything right now," said Wendi. “We don’t know where the market, where the whole world will be in the next few months or years. Just to figure out how we’re going to pay for the next year for both kids.”

Members of the board of trustees committee will vote on the proposal on June 17.

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