Office of Student Financial Assistance > State Financial Aid Programs > Free Community College

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Free Community College

In Massachusetts, we’ve made community college tuition and fee free for all students through MassReconnect and MassEducate

Building on the success of MassReconnect, which made community college free for students 25 years and older, the Healey-Driscoll Administration and state Legislature made public community college free for students of any age and income in Massachusetts.

MassEducate covers the full cost of tuition and fees for all eligible students. Students may qualify for an allowance of up to $1,200 for books and supplies based on income level. Some students may also be eligible for an additional allowance (up to $1,200) to help with other costs of attending college.

Reach out to the community college where you are enrolled or intend to enroll. Their financial aid office can help you find out what you are eligible for in addition to free tuition and fees.

Student Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for these benefits, you must:

  • have physically resided in Massachusetts for at least one year, as of the start of the enrolled term, with an intent to remain in Massachusetts consistent with Board of Higher Education (BHE) policy;
  • enroll, as a matriculated student, on a full-time or part-time basis (minimum of 6 credits per term, or the equivalent) in an eligible institution and undergraduate program of study leading to a certificate or associate degree;
  • be a U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, or non-citizen eligible under Title IV regulations; or have an approved eligibility status designated by the BHE pursuant to the Massachusetts Tuition Equity Law2;
  • complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA) as applicable for eligible students under the Massachusetts Tuition Equity Law annually;
  • comply with financial aid verification requirements;
  • not be in default on any federal or state student loans for attendance at any institution, and not owe a refund for any previous state financial aid program;
  • not have earned a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent (a student who has previously earned an associate degree may receive financial assistance to complete up to one additional associate degree under the MassEducate program.); and
  • meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) according to the institution’s requirements and federal standards.

1 See www.mass.edu/tuitionequity for more details.

2 Pursuant to Section 9 of Chapter 15A, as amended by Section 11 of Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023.

How To Apply

Complete and file your FAFSA at Fafsa.gov. Many colleges have resources to help you with this form. Students unable to complete the FAFSA due to citizenship status are encouraged to fill out the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA).

Award Value

Subject to appropriation, MassEducate and MassReconnect grants are last-dollar resources awarded to eligible students and shall not exceed the total of (1) the calculated costs of tuition and fees as determined by the institution and published in its annual Cost of Attendance (COA), and approved by the BHE pursuant to M.G.L. c.15A, Section 5B(c)(1), for the academic term during which the award is made, and (2) additional allowances for books, supplies and other expenses according to income-based guidelines established by the department.

Funds expended beyond costs related to tuition and fees, and the allowance for books, supplies, and other costs as defined, must be approved or authorized by the Commissioner of Higher Education, or their designee.

Higher-cost certificate or degree programs, which exceed 150% of the institution’s average tuition and fee costs, may require annual approval by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE).

Eligible Institutions
For More Information

Reach out to your community college’s financial aid office for additional information on the application process, or to the Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070.

While MassEducate and MassReconnect have separate guidelines, this page summarizes the combined benefits and requirements of the two programs.

Full MassReconnect Guidelines (PDF): Applied to eligible students aged 25 and older as of the first day of classes

Full MassEducate Guidelines (PDF): Applied to all other eligible students