Requirements
MassLINKS Waitlist Policy
MassLINKS maintains a structured waitlist to ensure fair and equitable access to programming. Students are added to the waitlist after completing the online application and verifying the required information. Enrollment opportunities are prioritized based on service type, time preference, student standing, technology needs, and time on the waitlist. Specific policies, including verification procedures, partner agency seat reservations, and provisions for eligible DCF students, are designed to support equitable access while ensuring that available course seats are filled efficiently.
MassLINKS Waitlist Policies
Per page 40 of the FY24-28 Massachusetts Policies for Effective Adult Education, a student who has received two direct outreach attempts (Text, Email, etc.) with no response will have their status on the waitlist changed to “Removed from the Waitlist.”
Student Placement Test Scores (if applicable) remain valid for the current program year.
Students are added to the official MassLINKS Waitlist once they have submitted an online application and had all of the required information fields confirmed. Enrollment opportunities to officially waitlisted students are based on the following:
- Selected Service Type
- Time Preference (Day, Afternoon, Evening)
- Student Standing (A student must be in good standing to receive an invitation to enroll)
- Days on the Waitlist
- Technology Needs
**MassLINKS reserves the right to review and adjust this policy as needed to support the equitable access of students to MassLINKS programming.**
All eligible individuals under the age of 18, including those receiving services and/or support from the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, may forgo the MassLINKS waitlist entirely and enroll in courses immediately, provided all other enrollment requirements are met and space is available in the appropriate course offerings.
FAQ’s
No. All students must attend class from a laptop or Chromebook device. MassLINKS offers technology support through its Technical Assistance Program, offering loaned Chromebooks, when available, to students who must be returned when a student completes or leaves the program.
MassLINKS allows children to be present during class times, provided they do not disrupt the learning environment. All MassLINKS teachers and staff are mandated reporters, requiring them to report any observed or suspected cases of abuse or negligence of any individual within a protected class, including children, individuals with a disability, and the elderly.
It is important to communicate missed classes to your MassLINKS Teacher. However, MassLINKS recognizes that our students have many responsibilities and sometimes life circumstances make it hard to attend class. As such, MassLINKS policy allows students to miss up to 40% of their live class sessions and required homework assignments (counted as attendance). This policy means that MassLINKS does not allow for “excused” absences (except for approved Medical Leave for more than 30 days). Our students’ time and life is theirs to manage as they see fit. MassLINKS provides as much flexibility for students to manage the unexpected without having to worry. However, when a student misses any more than 40% of their academic time, they are removed from the program, and mustreturn all MassLINKS borrowed Chromebooks. They will be required to wait 90 days before they can re-enroll.
To enroll in our programs, students must meet the following criteria:
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State Residency: Must be a current Massachusetts resident.
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Age Requirement: Must be 16 years of age or older.
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Note: Students under 18 must provide an official Letter of Withdrawal from their home school district.
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Valid Identification: All HiSET or GED students must provide a form of ID accepted by the testing centers.
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Language Assessment (ESOL Only): Students must demonstrate a need for English language support as measured by our placement assessment.
Partner Agency/Shared Customer Agreements
Agency referrals are tracked in the LACES Data System as part of the MassLINKS Online Application. Shared customers as defined by ACLS in their Policies and Procedures are identified based on information provided by each student on their application. MassLINKS will hold 20% of its seats in MSL001 course sections for individuals referred from WIOA Core Partner Agencies. Eligible individuals will be invited to enroll on a first-come-first served basis. Any seats reserved for Shared Customers that are not claimed by eligible individuals will be released to eligible waitlisted individuals.
**MassLINKS reserves the right to adjust this percentage and policy as needed to ensure equitable access to programming for waitlisted students.**