Massachusetts is fortunate to have both the nation’s most outstanding system of private colleges and universities, and a fine public post-secondary system of affordable higher education consisting of the University of Massachusetts, State Colleges, and our Community Colleges. Higher education is an essential sector of our state’s economy providing jobs, bringing in students from other states and from abroad who spend their money here, and promoting research and technology that seed the growth of our Commonwealth’s businesses. Even more important are the skills imparted through higher education, skills needed for our students to excel in the good jobs and careers that will support their families, their community, and all of us here in Massachusetts.

A man who has served for long periods in leadership positions both in the public and the private systems of education in Massachusetts is Richard Freeland, who was recently the guest on my Cable TV show “The Beacon.” Mr. Freeland is currently serving as the Commissioner of Higher Education for Massachusetts in which capacity he is responsible for the operation of our state colleges and community colleges and for the overall direction of the entire public higher education system, including the University of Massachusetts whose president oversees its detailed operations. Commissioner Freeland served for a decade as president of Northeastern University and prior to that for 22 years with the University of Massachusetts. From his experience and perspective we can gain insights both into how our system operates, its goals and interconnections, and into what families and students should keep in mind as they prepare for education after high school.

We benefit in Massachusetts from a balanced system of both public and private institutions with an especially strong private higher education sector in our state compared to others. The public system of higher education strives to provide a high quality alternative that is both accessible and affordable. This public sector is divided into three tiers to meet the varying needs of our student population. The 15 community colleges are distributed throughout the Commonwealth and are designed to be accessible for all high school graduates who wish to obtain an associate’s degree, either with the goal of preparing to later transfer to a four-year college or to prepare for a career that will open up with a two-year degree. The 9 state colleges are four-year institutions focused on and dedicated to teaching for bachelor’s degrees and some professional master’s degrees. There is great demand for places in these colleges, and many of their students graduate and advance to life-long careers staying here in Massachusetts. The University of Massachusetts provides a focus not only on excellent academic teaching but also serves as a center for research, broadening and deepening knowledge, and carrying undergraduate programs and graduate degree programs where research is a central element, including the university’s Medical School. To the five current campuses of the University of Massachusetts we will soon add a public law school offering training to those who seek an affordable entrance into the legal profession.

Commissioner Freeland made two most important points for students currently in high school and their families looking ahead to higher education. Because it will make such a huge difference in each student’s life to pursue education after high school, both economically and for a student’s future quality of life, Commissioner Freeland suggests that students strive to achieve at their very best level throughout their secondary education and not just try to reach their academic potential in the last couple of years of high school. He also strongly advises that families prepare themselves from the earliest possible years of a child’s life for the financial requirements of obtaining a higher education, so that they do not reach graduation from high school without the resources needed for the best post-secondary experience possible. Having finances available for this purpose is the best investment a family can make, even when financial aid will also be a necessary component of enabling education to continue after high school.

For those who seek advice concerning student aid, I recommend that you call the Massachusetts Office of Financial Assistance at (617) 722-9420 and visit their website. Those seeking additional guidance are invited to call my State House office at (617) 722-2020. We all benefit in Massachusetts when our young people receive the very best education possible. When that education is accessible and affordable, it is an investment that pays back a return many times over for the future prosperity of our Commonwealth.