July 30, 2024 |Education, News, North Shore Community College, Resources

Free Tuition For MA Residents At North Shore Community College

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Expanding on the success of MassReconnect, which the Healey-Driscoll administration unveiled last year, MassEducate will now offer tuition- and fee-free community college to all Massachusetts residents, regardless of age, who have yet to earn a bachelor’s degree.  

The newly signed budget includes $93.5 million for the creation of MassEducate, a new program making community college free for all students, beginning in fall 2024, who do not currently have a bachelor’s degree, regardless of age.

Together, MassEducate and MassReconnect will provide the opportunity for ALL Massachusetts residents, regardless of age or income who have yet to earn a bachelor’s degree the opportunity to earn an associate degree or certificate at any one of Massachusetts’ 15 community colleges, if they meet all eligibility requirements and complete the proper steps to enroll and matriculate.

While both MassReconnect and MassEducate offer free community college to MA residents, the two programs have different qualifiers:

• MassReconnect is geared to students aged 25 and older without an associate or bachelor’s degree
• MassEducate will cover students who are under 25, as well as students who are over 25 who have already received an associate degree.

Both programs include an allowance for books and supplies for certain students.

Last year, thanks to MassReconnect, MA community colleges saw a historic 8% rise in enrollment, including a 45% increase in enrollment of students over the age of 25, reversing a decade of decline.

“We’re thrilled to now offer free community college to our communities,” said North Shore Community College President William Heineman. “Education is the key to betterment. At North Shore we say if you have the will, we have the way – now the state is backing that up by removing the financial barrier to achieving that betterment.” 

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for MassEducate or MassReconnect, you must:

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• If you are not eligible to complete the FAFSA and are an approved “High School Completer” under the Massachusetts tuition equity law, you can complete the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA) and still attend for free.
• Apply to North Shore Community College and enroll in an approved program of study. Applications are open all year long and there’s never an application fee. Classes start this Fall.
• Have physically resided in Massachusetts for at least one year, as of the start of your first enrolled term.
• Have earned a high school diploma or the equivalent.**
• Are enrolled in at least six credits (usually two classes) per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the college’s requirements.

The above press release was submitted to us by North Shore Community College.