Massachusetts Adds Paid Co-Ops at Two Campuses

Students at UMass Dartmouth and Worcester State can expect paid, full-time co-op work options once programs launch in 2027-2028.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Financial Aid

Bold vector editorial illustration of a wooden step ladder against a cream wall with folded work aprons on its top step, in warm coral and mustard tones. — Massachusetts awarded $60,000 in grants to UMass Dartmouth and Worcester State University to build paid co-op programs launching in the 2027-2028 academic year. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Massachusetts awarded $60,000 in grants to UMass Dartmouth and Worcester State University to develop paid cooperative education programs in high-demand fields. The new co-op programs are expected to launch during the 2027-2028 academic year.

Why it matters

Co-ops are full-time, paid work experiences that typically last four to eight months, giving students a way to earn income while gaining work experience during college. The state is expanding the model beyond the campuses already participating, with five public campuses now in the Massachusetts Cooperative Education Initiative.

The state awarded $60,000 in grants to UMass Dartmouth and Worcester State University, and earlier in 2026 it awarded $210,000 to Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Bridgewater State University and Framingham State University. UMass Lowell's co-op students complete six-month assignments and earn an average of $20,714.

The players

UMass Lowell

A public research university in Massachusetts whose co-op program is the state's leading model, sharing operational experience with participating campuses.

UMass Dartmouth

A public university in Massachusetts receiving a state grant to build an allied health and healthcare co-op program.

Worcester State University

A public university in Massachusetts receiving a state grant to build co-op programs in several high-demand fields.

Massachusetts Department of Higher Education

The state agency whose Innovation Hub partners with UMass Lowell to run the Massachusetts Cooperative Education Initiative.

The details

The grants fund development of paid co-op programs, with UMass Dartmouth focusing on allied health and healthcare and Worcester State building co-ops in municipal and cultural affairs, chemistry, biotechnology and early childhood education. Over the next year, the two campuses will develop academic frameworks, recruit students and form employer partnerships, with UMass Lowell sharing operational experience and providing technical assistance and coaching. The campuses will also take part in statewide peer learning to establish shared practices for future expansion.

2025: The Innovation Hub launched with a $2.1 million Axim Collaborative grant.
Earlier in 2026: The state awarded $210,000 to three other public campuses.
Over the next year: Campuses develop frameworks, recruit students and forge employer partnerships.
2027-2028 academic year: The new co-op programs are expected to launch.

Education Landscape

The expansion extends the Massachusetts Cooperative Education Initiative, which began with UMass Lowell's co-op program and now includes five public campuses. It adds paid work experience to public college programs at a time when students are weighing the cost of higher education against earnings during school.

Students at UMass Dartmouth and Worcester State can look for paid co-op opportunities once the programs launch in the 2027-2028 academic year. Students interested in these options should ask their campus's financial-aid or career office how co-op earnings are treated in their aid package.

The takeaway

Paid co-op work can help students offset costs while building experience in their field. Students at participating campuses can ask their financial-aid office how co-op earnings would affect their aid eligibility.