Fitchburg State University was the easy choice for Ben Lor and Molly Demeo.
Lor and Demeo, high school seniors at Fitchburg High School and Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, respectively, are now part of a historic direct admissions initiative - the Fitchburg Promise - that was unveiled by Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge last fall, a program that will expand access and opportunity for students across Fitchburg.
Lor and Demeo are officially the first two direct admission students who have placed deposits and committed to becoming Falcons in the fall of 2026.
“It’s a clear, supported pathway to college,” said Hodge, the 12th president at Fitchburg State and first woman to hold the role at the university. “One that gives families certainty, gives school counselors a trusted partner, and gives students—especially first-generation students—a real and reachable future. This is equity in action. This is economic development in action. And this is a promise we are proud to make—and keep—right here in North Central Massachusetts, with the support of our Commonwealth and federal funding initiatives.
“Together, we are building a future where every Fitchburg student knows: College isn’t just possible—if you’ve got the will and the commitment, it’s promised,” said Hodge.
The new agreement outlines the university’s new direct admissions initiative, designed to remove barriers, simplify access, and guarantee admission to students in good standing at their high schools.
Starting in the fall, any Fitchburg resident enrolled at one of the city’s high schools who maintains a 2.25 GPA will be guaranteed admission to Fitchburg State and may attend tuition and fee-free, so long as they remain in good standing.
Fitchburg State established these new agreements with Fitchburg High School -- including Goodrich Academy -- Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, St. Bernard’s High School and the Sizer School.
Offering a guaranteed pathway to the university, the Direct Admissions program effectively unlocks intellectual and professional opportunities for students across North Central Massachusetts.
“Beyond simply providing admissions, the program connects students with faculty experts in classes designed to spark their curiosity, their love of learning, and their personal and professional aspirations,” said Fitchburg State University Acting Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Franca Barricelli. “Fundamentally, it represents a transformative commitment to democratizing higher education and changing students’ lives.”
The Direct Admissions program eliminates application fees and stress from the start. This pathway allows future students to begin exploring college life early by participating in Direct Admissions Discovery Days, where they can be part of fun on-campus events, meet professors, and actively discover their future educational path. The process is streamlined and simple, as students simply fill out an online opt-in form as early as their freshman year of high school. The program also delivers significant financial benefits, including $0 in-state tuition and fees for participants who reside in Fitchburg, and an annual $1,500 housing scholarship for those who decide to live on campus.
"Our Direct Admissions program is a promise to the City of Fitchburg,” said Fitchburg State Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success Pam McCafferty. “By removing the traditional barriers to entry, we are meeting students exactly where they are, walking every step of the journey with them to ensure that the path to higher education is wide open for every local student. We aren't just enrolling students; we are investing in this amazing community and proving that a world-class education is a right, not a privilege."
When the direct admissions program came out, I was very happy that college was an option for me. It honestly doesn’t feel real yet, still. I’m so excited and so grateful that I’m able to come here. It’s really amazing because I never thought I’d be able to go to college, so having that opportunity to be able to come is grand.
Lor and Demeo committed within days of being hand-delivered acceptance letters by Fitchburg State Assistant Director of Admissions Eliezer Rivera.
“When the direct admissions program came out, I was very happy that college was an option for me,” said Demeo. “It honestly doesn’t feel real yet, still. I’m so excited and so grateful that I’m able to come here. It’s really amazing because I never thought I’d be able to go to college, so having that opportunity to be able to come is grand.”
“Fitchburg State was the only (university) that I really cared about,” said Lor. “With the opportunity here, Fitchburg State is a great option. If I really want to be serious about my future, I think Fitchburg State is the best option for me.”
Lor and Demeo both agree that tuition and fees being waived, and an annual housing scholarship, made attending Fitchburg State an easy decision.
“We grew up not very well off, and we’ve never really been well off, which has never really been a problem,” said Demeo. “I didn’t think it was an option for me to go to college and get a formal degree. That’s why I went to a tech school because I believed that there wasn’t anything for me after high school besides a job. But because of the direct admissions, it really opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me, so it was a lot of planning all at once.
“If it wasn’t an option for me to get the tuition and fees (waived) and the stipend for my dorming, it wouldn’t have been possible for me to come to college,” said Demeo. “I would have been in heavy debt forever.”
Once Lor learned about the direct admissions process, he says the decision to attend Fitchburg State was etched in stone.
“Growing up, my family wasn’t in the most steady economic position, so I think going to Fitchburg State and having this opportunity, I can finally give back to my people,” said Lor. “It’s a very exciting thing for me.
“Having all the fees waived, that’s really big for me to attend a really high-tier college for free,” said Lor. “I was thinking about the costs being waived and I might as well go there because it’s a really good opportunity.”
As freshmen in the fall, Demeo plans on living in the dorms and embarking on a new journey on campus.
“I’ve already talked to my mom and I’m like, ‘I’m already ready to pick out my dorm stuff and get everything set and ready to go,” said Demeo. “Of course I’m nervous, but I’m ready to figure stuff out, figure my life out and learn how to deal with other people and live with someone.
“I want to have a small space where I can learn to take care of before I go to an apartment or a house, and I think it’s really important to learn how to coexist with someone you haven’t been with your whole life. It’s important to learn how to set boundaries and communicate.”
Lor plans to commute from his home in Fitchburg.
“It was super big because I don’t have to travel anywhere because I have my people here,” said Lor. “I grew up here my whole life so nothing is really going to change. I get to further my education, get a great education and it will open up a lot of doors and opportunities for me around here or anywhere.”
Lor will become a first-generation college student and plans to pursue a degree in business marketing.
“I’m excited about heading into college and finishing my education, especially because in my family I’m going to be the first guy to go to college and graduate from college,” said Lor. “I think that’s a very cool milestone.
“To my family, education is everything. They’ve always told me that if I want to make it far in life, then I have to be well-educated and have to work hard. I think it’s a roundabout moment to where I’m not just talking about it, I’m living it.”
Demeo plans to major in business administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship and innovation. She also plans to get involved on campus through the Dance Club and Book Club.
“I’m excited to make new friends and learn about new opportunities,” said Demeo. “Fitchburg State has a wide variety of clubs and I’m excited to find my niche and find my group. Fitchburg State is an amazing school. The university has so many programs and so many amazing things that makes it a no-brainer to come here. Take the opportunity.”
The admissions team serves as the steady compass for every aspiring Falcon. They don’t just offer directions, they walk the long road of higher education hand-in-hand with every student, turning a complex journey into a triumphant arrival.
“We take immense pride in being a university that truly cares—one that listens to and meets every student where they are at and works tirelessly to turn their goals into a reality,” said Rivera. “For us, success isn't just about the first day of classes; it’s about the unwavering support we provide every step of the way to ensure every student knows they belong here and that we want them here.
“We are so incredibly proud of students like Molly and Ben for taking that life-changing step to become Fitchburg State Falcons,” said Rivera. “Their journey is exactly why we do what we do.”
The admissions team made quite an impression on Lor and Demeo.
“Everyone I’ve met here has been amazing,” said Demeo, who learned about the program at a college fair at Monty Tech. “Any question I have they can answer. Eli, specifically, we’ve been emailing back and forth since I first applied and it’s been amazing. Not once have I felt unheard or unseen or they didn’t care what problem I was having. Eli has always gotten back to me immediately every time I email him. He’s amazing. He’s great at what he does and cares.”
Lor said that Rivera has guided him during the college process.
“Eli has been super helpful in this journey to Fitchburg State, and has been super informative about this new program and everything,” said Lor. “He’s answered any questions and cleared up any confusion.”
Fitchburg students should take advantage of the direct admissions initiative, said Lor and Demeo.
“Honestly, this was a no-brainer for me because it gave me the opportunity to actually go to college and get a degree and further my education,” said Demeo. “If it’s an opportunity for you, I’d say 100 percent take it.”
“I hope they know that this is a great opportunity and they should all take it,” said Lor. “Especially if you’re on the fence about going to college then just go and do it. A lot of people around Fitchburg probably see Fitchburg State and say, ‘it’s around here so I don’t really want to go there,’ but Fitchburg State is one of the highest ranking colleges around here and it’s the local hometown college. I think Fitchburg State is a really good option.”
Additional details may be found on the university’s website at fitchburgstate.edu/admissions-and-aid/direct-admissions.