Welcome to the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts (AICUM).

Established in 1967 by college and university presidents, AICUM consists of 60 degree-granting, accredited independent, or private, colleges and universities in the Commonwealth. AICUM is the leading voice on public policy matters relating to independent higher education in Massachusetts.

AICUM works closely with its member institutions to preserve and strengthen higher education; provide advocacy for need-based financial aid for Massachusetts students; help create a climate in the state in which the resources of privately supported higher education are fully leveraged; address state and Federal legislative and regulatory issues; and bring about a greater understanding of the impact and contributions of the independent colleges and universities in the Commonwealth.

Directions to AICUM 

Programs and Activities

• AICUM helps to shape proposals, policies, regulations, and legislation and to gather and disseminate information in areas such as student financial aid; federal, state, and local tax issues; and economic development.
• AICUM acts as liaison to a variety of education-focused organizations on the state and federal level.
• The Association has a comprehensive government relations program at all levels of government, interpreting the needs of independent higher education to government officials and legislators and assisting in the formulation of legislation and regulations affecting AICUM members.
• AICUM has a strong research arm to support its legislative and public information functions. This includes compilation and analysis of data from a number of sources:
  • IPEDS surveys on enrollment, completions, finance, and staff and specific AICUM surveys on topics such as enrollment, tuition and fees, and institutional financial aid, and ad hoc surveys in areas such as R & D federal obligations, appropriations analysis, and economic impact.
  • AICUM maintains a comprehensive library of statistical reports and publications from the U.S. Department of Education and other appropriate government branches.
• Through its public relations efforts AICUM makes known to the larger Massachusetts community the services and contributions of privately supported colleges and universities, publishing periodic reports on its activities and higher education issues, information on admissions and financial aid and early planning of college, and on the impact and contributions of independent higher education in Massachusetts.
• AICUM sponsors informational programs and seminars on broad issues of interest to the higher education community. Programs have been conducted on topics such as payment in lieu of taxes, financial aid regulations, and legal issues on college campuses. AICUM also serves as an information resource for the media and interested citizens.