- Executive Office of Education
- Department of Higher Education
Media Contact
Nicole Giambusso, Communications Director
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced it has posted a Request for Information (RFI) seeking to identify commercially available or customizable online platforms to support the state’s full financial aid process from start to finish. The Executive Office of Education (EOE), in partnership with the Department of Higher Education (DHE), is looking to modernize and streamline the current management system for student financial aid eligibility, applications, award determinations, disbursements and compliance reporting.
These efforts, in alignment with Governor Maura Healey’s FutureTech Act, aim to build a more modern, accessible and user-friendly financial aid technology system. This will make it easier to apply for and receive the historic amount of higher education financial aid available and for campuses to administer the aid programs.
“This effort is about making government work better for students and campuses,” said Secretary of Education Stephen Zrike. “By modernizing our financial aid systems, we can make it easier for students and families to access the resources they need to afford college and pursue their dreams.”
“Massachusetts has $400 million in state financial aid programs, and we want to make accessing these programs as seamless as possible,” said Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega. “We look forward to learning about innovative approaches that have the potential to enhance how MassAid serves students.”
Currently, DHE’s Office of Student Financial Aid operates and maintains the MASSAid system, a web-based application to manage student financial aid applications and disbursements. DHE and EOE are exploring modernization opportunities and innovative vendor solutions to replace or enhance MASSAid with a more flexible, secure and adaptive platform. The RFI is intended to gather information from qualified vendors about their capabilities, solutions, and experience implementing similar systems.
Massachusetts has doubled state financial aid in recent years, with the Fiscal Year 2026 budget committing nearly $400 million to these programs. As a result of these investments, Pell Grant eligible students in Massachusetts receive free tuition and fees at all public two- and four- year colleges and universities, and community college is free to all who qualify, regardless of income level. Preliminary data from the fall shows that the number of students attending Massachusetts’ public colleges and universities has returned to pre-pandemic levels.
While respondents are encouraged to submit cost estimates related to their suggested ideas, no contract awards will be made under this solicitation. Interested vendors can find the RFI on COMMBUYS.
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