Worcester State’s Latino Educational Institute Gets State Funding Boost

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester State University is expected to receive funding to improve the academic achievement and well-being of Latino families and students, from elementary school to college.

The university will get $45,000 in state funding to fund the Latino Educational Institute, Sen. Michael Moore (D-2nd Worcester) announced in a social media post on Thursday. The legislator said the funding comes from a legislative earmark included in the state budget supported by revenue from the Fair Share Amendment.

"Thanks to my earmark in the recent Fair Share Amendment budget, Worcester State University's Latino Educational Institute will soon receive $45,000 to support its programs," Sen. Moore wrote in the announcement. "LEI's work helps Latino students at all grade levels in Worcester reach their educational potential."

• Central MA College to Close After Spring 2026 Semester

The Latino Educational Institute at WSU partners with local schools and community organizations to provide college-access programming, academic support, mentorship, and family-engagement initiatives to increase Latino student success. Its efforts focus on closing opportunity gaps by supporting students from early education through higher education pathways.

The funding comes from the state’s “Fair Share” surtax, approved by voters in 2022, which adds an additional tax on annual income over $1 million. It's also known as the "millionaires tax."

• Worcester State Cheer Scores At National Championships

Revenue generated by the Fair Share Amendment is placed into a state fund dedicated to public education and transportation and distributed through the annual budget process rather than as direct payments to individual communities.

That means local districts like Worcester can receive targeted investments when lawmakers include project-specific allocations in the state budget or direct funding through eligible programs.

See Also:

• Worcester Company Named Among Best Places To Work In 2026, New List Says
• After 50 Years, Beloved Worcester Eatery To Get New Owners
• $1M Lottery Ticket Sold At Worcester Convenience Store