The Commonwealth Commitment Participation Agreement

The Commonwealth Commitment Participation Agreement
[Community College Name]
Dear Future College Graduate,
We are thrilled that you want to participate in Massachusetts’ new Commonwealth Commitment program! “ComCom”seeks to help you achieve college savings while you earn your degree through the new MassTransfer Pathways degree programs.
By participating in the ComCom program, you may be eligible1 for the following benefits:
  1. Ten percent (10%) rebate off your community college tuition and mandatory fees at the end of every semester as long as you have completed 12 college-level credits and achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  2. Freeze on tuition and mandatory fee rates from the moment you enter the ComCom program until you graduate from the community college and from the state university or University of Massachusetts (UMASS) campus to which you transfer2.
  3. Upon transfer to a baccalaureate institution, a full tuition waiver with the 10% rebate on mandatory fees, at the end of every semester as long as you have completed 15 college-level credits and achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Please read the agreement on the back of this page carefully and speak with your advisor about whether the Commonwealth Commitment program is a good fit for you and to find out which programs are offered at your community college. More information, including a Fact Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions, is available at
Available MassTransfer Pathways at the Community Colleges
Please contact your local community college to determine which of these pathways it offers.
For transfer to most State Universities & UMASS Campuses
  • Biology*
  • Business+
  • Chemistry*
  • CommunicationsMedia Studies+
  • Computer Science+
  • Criminal Justice+
  • Early Childhood Education+
  • Economics*
  • English+
  • History*
  • Liberal Arts+
  • Mathematics+
  • Political Science*
  • Psychology*
  • Sociology+
  • STEM Physical or Natural Sciences+
/ For transfer to Massachusetts College of Art & Design
  • Painting*
  • Printmaking*
  • Sculpture*
For transfer to Massachusetts Maritime Academy
  • Emergency Management*
  • Marine Safety & Environmental Protection*
  • Energy Systems Engineering*
  • Facilities Engineering*
  • International Maritime Business*
* Available Fall 2016
+ Available Fall 2017
1Students must meet all eligibility criteria to receive benefits.
2Freeze reflects the tuition and mandatory fees rates in effect the year the student enters the program. For example: If a student enters the Commonwealth Commitment program at Bunker Hill Community College in Fall 2016, that student will be charged the same rates while at BHCC. If the student transfers to UMass Boston in Fall 2018, the student will pay the tuition and mandatory fees rates at UMass Boston at their Fall 2016 rates for the next two years. This freeze does not include discretion fees including, but not limited to, equipment, special program, parking or technology fees.


PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT LEGIBLY:The institution reserves the right to withdraw without notice any application which is not complete and accurate.
STUDENT INFORMATION
Name
Last/Family / First / Middle / Other Name that may
appear on official records
Community College Student ID # / Date of Birth
COMMUNITY COLLEGE INFORMATION
Community College / Participation Agreement Start Term
 Fall 2016
 Spring 2017
 Fall 2017 / Must complete Associate Degree by the end of
-- Fall 2018
-- Spring 2019
-- Fall 2019
MassTransfer Pathways
STATE UNIVERSITY ORUMASS INFORMATION
Intended Transfer Institution / Intended Major
I certify that:
  • I am a Massachusetts resident eligible for in-state tuition under the terms of the Board of Higher Education’s residency policy.
  • I have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • I have not earned in excess of 15 college credits beyond high school (including developmental course work).
I acknowledge I must:
  • Enroll in a Commonwealth Commitment approved MassTransferPathways.
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
  • Maintain full-time continuous enrollment Fall and Spring (12 credits per semester at a community college and 15 credits per semester at a state university or UMASS). Intersession and/or Summer semesters are encouraged but not required.
  • Remain in good academic, financial, and disciplinary status.Institutions reserve the right to remove students from the Commonwealth Commitment program who fail to maintain all eligibility requirements (see Implementation Guidelines).

  • Enroll as a full-time, degree-seeking student at a community college.
  • Earn at least 12 college-level credits per semester at one community college.
  • Complete an associate degree within two and a half years of signing the Participation Agreement.

  • If I intend to Transfer to a Massachusetts state university or UMASS campus:
  • Immediately following completion of my associate degree, I must enroll as a full-time, degree-seeking student.
  • Earn at least 15 college-level credits per semester at one university.I may not attend another college or university in the interim.
  • Complete a bachelor degree within two years of transferring.
/ If I intend to Transfer to aMassachusetts College of Art and Design or
Massachusetts Maritime Academy:
  • Enroll after one and a halfyears*of signing the Participation Agreementas a full-time, degree-seeking student.
  • Earn at least 15 college-level credits per semester at one university. I may not attend another college or university in the interim.
  • I may be required to produce a portfolio as part of the acceptance criteria to Massachusetts College of Art & Design.
  • “Reverse transfer” credits back to my community college to complete my associate degree.
  • Complete a bachelor degree within three years of transferring (may require more than 120 total credits to graduate).

I understand:
  • My application information will be kept confidential and that, by participating in the Commonwealth Commitment Program, I consent to the release of my student education records between the community college and the state university or the UMASS campus to which I intend to transfer or to educational agencies and institutions for research purposes.
  • Additional forms may be required for admission and it is my responsibility to thoroughly read correspondence sent from the institution.
  • I must complete and submit the FAFSA each year to determine if I qualify for other aid.
By my signature below, I agree to these terms and certify that the information I have provided is accurate and complete.
Signature / Date
Students must be in good academic, financial, and disciplinary status at all previously attended colleges and universities to be eligible for the ComComProgram.
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY – DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE
Participation Agreement Reviewed by / Date
Participation Agreement Entered into Computer by / Date