DARTMOUTH, Mass. (WPRI) — The University of Massachusetts (UMass) Dartmouth announced an initiative Tuesday to provide free tuition and mandatory fees to high-need, in-state undergraduate students. The "UMass Dartmouth Deal" will launch next fall to help students cover tuition, textbooks and housing expenses. The program also guarantees on-campus housing for eligible students. UMass President Marty Meehan noted that the system has made record investments in university-funded financial aid, increasing aid by 73% to a total of $409 million in the last decade. "This tuition-free assistance is a critical piece to elevating career pathways for students of families with modest means to access high-quality higher education," Representative Carole Fiola said. Who is eligible? Family income of 75,000 or less, as verified by FAFSA Legal Mass. resident Enrolled full-time in an undergraduate, on-campus program Minimum high school GPA of 2.7 (or equivalent SAT/ACT score) Students enrolling in the fall semester qualify for that academic year, while spring enrollees become eligible the following fall. The university estimates around 1,500 students will qualify. How does it work? Covers full tuition and mandatory fees for up to four years of full-time undergraduate study Includes access to financial literacy workshops and counseling services Offers scholarship and grant opportunities for textbooks, housing, and other educational expenses Guarantees on-campus housing (housing costs not covered by the program) Eligible students will not need to complete an application for the program, but are automatically enrolled, with notifications sent via student accounts and financial aid correspondence. Is it renewable? The UMass Dartmouth Deal extends to students who: Maintain satisfactory academic progress Stay continuously enrolled full-time (12+ credits per semester) Complete annual income verification through FAFSA READ ALSO: Johnson & Wales University launches 3-year bachelor’s degree For students above the income threshold, UMass Dartmouth will continue to provide need-based financial aid. "As a first-generation college student myself, I know from personal experience that a college degree is the springboard to personal and professional success. It changes lives and transforms communities," Chancellor Mark Fuller said. More details, including eligibility requirements and other program information, are available online. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW