Pittsfield Schools Awarded Funds to Boost FAFSA Completion

11:01AM / Wednesday, May 01, 2024Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration is providing grants to more than 100 Massachusetts public schools serving Gateway Cities to help high school seniors complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

In Berkshire County, Eagle Education Academy will receive $30, Pittsfield High School will receive $5,400 and Taconic High will receive $5,670.

These grants, totaling more than $550,000, follow an announcement that the state's priority deadline to apply for Massachusetts financial aid via MASSGrant has been extended from May 1 to July 1, 2024. The awards are also intended to support schools amid unique nationwide challenges with this year's FAFSA.

As of April 2024, 168,489 students or prospective students in Massachusetts have completed the FAFSA, a decrease from 232,560 in April 2023.

"We want high school seniors to know that there is still time to complete the FAFSA and pursue higher education this coming fall," said Governor Maura Healey. "These additional funds will help reach students who have yet to complete the FAFSA but who aspire to attend college and may benefit from the significant financial aid programs available in Massachusetts."

The FAFSA completion grants will be issued to public high schools at which 70 percent or more of the students served are from Gateway Cities. The funds are also granted to Massachusetts high schools taking part in the federal Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) program. High schools will receive grant amounts equal to $30 per 12th grader.

The grant funds for schools are being distributed by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education in collaboration with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. School leaders and counselors can dedicate grant money to FAFSA completion events or celebrations, and they can purchase prizes such as gifts cards and school-branded merchandise for students who complete the FAFSA or the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA). Students who cannot complete the FAFSA due to their citizenship status should complete the MASFA.

Along with the later statewide deadline for FAFSA completion, colleges and universities are also moving their deposit deadlines to accommodate students who have yet to apply or have not received financial aid packages that are crucial making college-going decisions. Students should check college or university websites or reach out directly to individual campuses for information about deadlines.

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Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action.

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature."

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures.

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis.

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.

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