LOWELL — Eligible Massachusetts students whose family income is $75,000 or less will pay no tuition or undergraduate fees when they enroll at UMass Lowell, Chancellor Julie Chen announced Tuesday.

“High school seniors and their families are spending this fall narrowing down their college options or deciding whether they can afford college at all,” Chen said. “UMass Lowell is committed to making it clear that Massachusetts residents can afford an outstanding degree.”

She also pointed out that more than 40 percent of UMass Lowell students are the first generation in their families to attend college.

“The impact of a college degree can be felt by families for generations,” Chen said. “We thank our state legislators and the Healey-Driscoll administration for funding MASSGrant Plus and their investment in the future of UMass Lowell students.”

UMass President Marty Meehan said all four undergraduate campuses in the UMass system are moving in that direction.

“I am proud that UMass Lowell highlights how affordable a UMass education is, and I appreciate the work that Chancellor Chen and the other UMass chancellors are doing to make Massachusetts families and students aware of this reality,” Meehan said.

“Over the past decade, the UMass system has increased its university-funded financial aid by 73 percent to a record $409 million per year,” he said. “This UMass-funded financial aid, supported by the historic expansion of MASSGrant Plus by the Healey-Driscoll administration and the Legislature, has made it possible for all undergraduate campuses to cover mandatory tuition and fees for our students with the greatest need.”

“There are few stronger long-term investments Massachusetts students and their families can make than a degree from UMass Lowell,” said Lowell City Manager and UMass Lowell alumnus Tom Golden.

Lowell’s state elected leaders also praised the program.

State Senator Ed Kennedy said, “This is a great program for families in my state senate district. I commend UMass for using the tools made available at the state level to guarantee educational opportunities for local families.”

“UMass Lowell continues to find ways to make the campus more accessible to the community, and programs like this provide an amazing opportunity for working families to send their children to college,” said State Representative Vanna Howard.

State Representative Rodney Elliott said, “Programs like MASSGrant Plus ensure that a world-class college education is financially attainable right here in Lowell for those who might never have imagined attending college.”

Eligible students who qualify for the MASSGrant Plus program will have their total tuition and mandatory fees covered by a combination of federal, state and institutional aid. Eligibility and application details are available at mass.edu/osfa/programs/massgrantplus.asp.