Eligible Massachusetts students whose family income is $75,000 or less will pay no undergraduate tuition or fees when they enroll at UMass Lowell, Chancellor Julie Chen announced today.

“High school seniors and their families are spending this fall narrowing down their university choices or deciding if they can afford college at all,” Chen said. “UMass Lowell is committed to making clear that Massachusetts residents can afford an outstanding college degree.”

She also pointed out that more than 40% of UMass Lowell students are the first generation in their families to attend college.

“The impact of a college degree can be felt by families for generations,” Chen said. “Thank you to our state legislators and the Healey-Driscoll administration for funding MASSGrant Plus and for their investment in the futures of students at UMass Lowell.”

UMass President Marty Meehan said all four undergraduate campuses across the UMass system are moving in this direction.

“I’m proud that UMass Lowell is highlighting how affordable a UMass education is and appreciate the work that Chancellor Chen and the other UMass chancellors are doing to make Massachusetts families and students aware of that reality,” Meehan said.

“Over the last decade, the UMass system has increased university-funded financial aid by 73% to a record high of $409 million per year,” he said. “This UMass-funded financial aid, bolstered by the historic expansion of MASSGrant Plus by the Healey-Driscoll administration and the legislature, has made it possible for all undergraduate campuses to cover tuition and mandatory fees for our highest-need students.”

“There are few stronger long-term investments that Massachusetts students and their families can make than a degree from UMass Lowell,” said Tom Golden, Lowell’s city manager and a UMass Lowell graduate.

Lowell’s state elected leaders also praised the program.

State Sen. Ed Kennedy said, “This is a great program for families throughout my state senate district. I commend UMass for utilizing the tools made available at the state level to guarantee educational opportunities for local families.”

“UMass Lowell continues to find ways to make the campus more accessible to the community and programs like this offer an amazing opportunity for working families to send their kids to college,” State Rep. Vanna Howard said.

State Rep. Rodney Elliott said, “Programs like MASSGrant Plus guarantee that a world-class college education is financially attainable right here in Lowell for those who might never imagine themselves in college.”

Eligible MASSGrant Plus program qualifying students will have total tuition and mandatory fees covered through a combination of federal, state and institutional aid. Eligibility and application details are available on the MASSGrant Plus site of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education webpage.