Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts Tuition Credits for Native Americans

Published

3 months ago

June 20, 2024

University of Massachusetts Tuition Credits for Native Americans

If you are a Native American living in Massachusetts, you may qualify for tuition assistance at a state college or university, including UMass Dartmouth and Bristol Community College.

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) Commission on Indian Affairs (CIA) says, “Over the last three decades, the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs has assisted in the determination of eligibility of Native Americans living in Massachusetts for tuition credits (formerly known as the tuition waiver) at state colleges and universities.”

The CIA is authorized by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education to “certify that applicants are of Native American descent” and eligible for the tuition break.

The Commission on Indian Affairs “uses membership in a Massachusetts tribal group (tribe, band, or clan) that is acknowledged by the Commission as a legitimate, historical tribal group as a criterion for making decisions on the eligibility of students for the tuition credit.”

University Of Massachusetts Tuition Credits For Native Americans

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Some Native Americans whose tribes are outside of Massachusetts may also be eligible for tuition credits.

To be considered for the tuition credit, applicants must be Native American, a Massachusetts resident, and enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at a Massachusetts college or university.

The CIA’s webpage has a link to a list of participating colleges and universities and a link to the Tuition Credit Form. Proof of residency and tribal membership/affiliation is required.

The deadline to apply for the tax credit for the fall semester is July 15, and December 15 for the spring semester.

The site can also help with housing needs.

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Gallery Credit: Tim Weisberg

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Massachusetts

New Massachusetts bill would reinstate commercial driver’s licenses for hundreds of drivers

Published

6 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

New Massachusetts bill would reinstate commercial driver’s licenses for hundreds of drivers

Hundreds of commercial drivers in Massachusetts could get licenses back if new bill passes

02:15

BOSTON – Relief may be on the way for hundreds of truck and bus drivers in Massachusetts, who lost their commercial driver’s licenses due to violations from decades ago.

Nearly 500 licenses revoked

Weeks ago, the I-Team uncovered that Registry of Motor Vehicles revoked the commercial driver’s licenses of nearly 500 drivers, effectively putting them out of work. Mike McDonald is one of the hundreds of commercial drivers that got caught up in the RMV dragnet. McDonald said losing his license means he can’t work and has no income coming in. He has been a truck driver for Ground Effects Landscaping in Carver for 17 years.

Until recently, the RMV had not fully enforced Melanie’s Law, which prohibits anyone charged with repeat drunk driving, refusing to take a breathalyzer or leaving the scene crashes from holding a commercial driver’s license, no matter how long ago the violations may have been. The law had been on the books for nearly 15 years.

It wasn’t until 2019 when a truck driver whose license should have been suspended was involved in a New Hampshire crash that killed seven members of a Marine motorcycle club. Since then, hundreds of drivers like McDonald have had their licenses and their livelihoods taken away.

10-year limit proposed

Now the I-Team has learned that the legislature is taking action with a new bill that would limit the look back period to 10 years, the same as the federal law. If it passes, it would allow drivers with clean records and no violations during the last decade to keep their licenses and their jobs.

Attorney Brian Simoneau represents dozens of drivers like McDonald. He told the I-Team, “What I’m hoping is the registry got the message loud and clear that this is outrageous and egregious and it’s a case of the punishment not fitting the crime. I’m hoping that this may pressure the registry now into delaying these disqualifications to give the legislature some more time to act because they can see that there is a huge strong interest in fixing this problem.”

All of this could happen quickly. If no one in the legislature objects to the bill it would pass quickly and move to the governor’s desk. If she signs it, the law would into effect immediately.

Cheryl Fiandaca

Cheryl Fiandaca is the chief investigative reporter for the I-Team at WBZ-TV.

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Massachusetts

Flags are at half-staff in Massachusetts today. Here’s why

Published

14 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

Flags are at half-staff in Massachusetts today. Here’s why

Governor Maura Healey announced that state and national flags will fly at half-staff in Massachusetts on Friday, Sept. 27 to honor Pvt. Kwack K. Woo of Los Angeles, California.

Pvt. Woo served in the United States Army Infantry Division during World War II, during which he was killed in action in February 1945 near Biesdorf, Germany. Today, Sept. 27, the remains of Pvt. Woo will be laid to rest at the Massachusetts Veteran Memorial Cemetery in Agawam.

In honor of Pvt. Woo and his service to the country as he is brought to his final resting place, flags will be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset.

Why are flags flown at half-staff?

According to the official website of the U.S. General Services Administration, flags typically fly at half-staff when the country or specific state is in mourning. Observances include national tragedies, days of remembrance and deaths of government or military personnel.

The president, the state governor or the mayor of Washington, D.C. can order flags to fly at half-staff.

More: Quincy thanks vets with tax relief. What new benefits they’ll be getting

Half-staff vs. half-mast

While half-staff refers to lowered flags on land, half-mast refers to those at sea. Both refer to a flag being flown beneath the top of its staff as a sign of respect.

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