Commonwealth Commitment
Salem State University, along with the other Massachusetts state universities, has recently joined the Commonwealth Commitment program. The program offers Massachusetts residents a significant financial discount to pursue higher education.
Students who complete their associate degree in one of the newly established MassTransfer Pathway programs will be eligible for a number of financial and transfer credit benefits at Salem State University.
Financial benefits offered to students in the program
- A freeze on tuition and fees for all four years upon entry into the Commonwealth Commitment program, until student graduates or leaves program
- A reduction in tuition and mandatory fees by an average of $5,090 over four years through:
- A 10 percent rebate off tuition and mandatory fees, payable via check or bookstore voucher at the end of every successfully completed semester
- An additional MassTransfer tuition credit once student enrolls in bachelor's program (full in-state tuition waiver)
To be eligible, students must:
- Begin at one of Massachusetts’ Community Colleges between fall 2016 and fall 2017 in one of the sixteen MassTransfer Pathway programs
- Declare their intention and commitment to the program, to their advisor at the community college, within their first 15 credits
- Maintain full-time, continuous enrollment in a state supported program (i.e. day division) and a cumulative 3.0 GPA throughout the program
- Complete associate degree within 2.5 years
MassTransfer Pathway programs eligible through Commonwealth Commitment at Salem State University:
Beginning at the community college in fall 2016:
Biology, chemistry, economics, history, political science, and psychology
Beginning at the community college in fall 2017:
Business, communications and media studies, criminal justice, early childhood education, English, liberal arts, mathematics, sociology, STEM natural/physical sciences