Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy is celebrating the success of her free tuition program called MassReconnect. The program covers community college tuition for state residents age 25 and over who don’t already have a degree.
Community college enrollment in the state has increased by 45% since the program was implemented last Fall.
In a recent statement, Gov. Healey said, “This is a ticket to economic mobility, providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today’s economy and meet the needs of our employers.”
The free tuition program is a last-dollar program, meaning it kicks in after all other financial aid has been applied. Students are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify.
Roughly half of the states in the U.S. currently offer free community college to residents. Massachusetts will be joining several other states, including Michigan and New Mexico, that specifically target nontraditional students.
To qualify for the program, students must have resided in Massachusetts for at least one year and commit to a courseload of at least six credit hours per semester. You can learn more about the free tuition program on the Massachusetts State Department of Higher Education website.
Source: Massachusetts Draws in Nontraditional Learners with Free College Program
Related: Top 75 Online Community Colleges