Free Community College at BCC

What is Free Community College?

Free Community College allows Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree to attend any of the state’s 15 community colleges and pay no tuition or fees. Certain students, based on income and enrollment, will also receive an allowance of up to $1,200 for books, supplies, and other approved costs.

Is this different than MassEducate and MassReconnect?

The 2026 – 2027 academic year simply combines the two programs under the umbrella of Free Community College. In the past, MassReconnect provided a book and supply allowance for all students, regardless of household income; beginning in fall 2026, only students whose household income is at or below 125% of the state median income are eligible for a book allowance.

What is covered under Free Community College?

Free Community College covers all course-related tuition and fees for eligible courses and provides an allowance of up to $1,200 per academic year towards books, supplies, and other expenses for students whose household income at or below 125% of the state median income.

In the past, MassReconnect provided a book and supply allowance for all students, regardless of household income – that is no longer in place.

Who is eligible for Free Community College?

Students are eligible for Free Community College if they:

• Have not earned a bachelor’s degree* or the equivalent, and
• Meet one of the following requirements:
  • Are a Massachusetts High School Completer , which means they:
    • Attended high school in Massachusetts for at least three years
    • Earned a high school diploma or alternative (e.g., HiSET, GED) in Massachusetts
  • or
    • Meet the Board of Higher Education Residency Status Policy , meaning they have:
      • Resided in Massachusetts for at least one year (with parent or legal guardian, if dependent) as of the start of the enrolled term
      • Are a U.S. citizen or lawful immigrant [BHE Motion FAAP 07-24 (PDF) ]; or authorized by the federal government to live and work in the United States on a temporary or permanent basis [BHE Motion FAAP 16-20 (PDF) ]
    • Are enrolled in either:
      • at least six credits (usually two classes) per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate or
      • courses that meet the initial training requirements for emergency medical technical and paramedic certification, regardless of credits enrolled.

Students who are current early college high school or dual enrollment students are not eligible for Free Community College. Past enrollment in early college or dual enrollment does not make a student ineligible for free community college if they have earned their high school diploma or equivalent. Students should not be told they are ineligible for Free Community College because they took college classes while still in high school.

How does a student enroll in Free Community College?

Students must:

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ) or  Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA ).
• Apply to BCC and enroll in an approved program of study. BCC accepts applications throughout the year and there is never an application fee.

There is no separate application process for Free Community College. As long as students meet the eligibility criteria, apply to the college they wish to attend, and complete the necessary enrollment steps, their tuition and fees will be covered.

Are international students eligible for Free Community College?

Students studying on F1 or J Visas are not eligible. In order to be eligible for Free Community College, students must be a High School Completer or have lived in Massachusetts for at least one year prior to receiving funding and be either a U.S. Citizen, permanent legal resident, or non-citizen eligible under Title IV regulations . Most international students will not meet these requirements and will not be eligible.

Are students with a degree from outside the U.S. eligible?

Students are eligible for Free Community College if they have not received a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent.

Assessing degrees earned outside the U.S.

What is the requirement for student health insurance?

The Massachusetts Health Insurance Law requires that every student registered for nine or more credits participate in the student health insurance program. This may be waived only if comparable health insurance coverage can be demonstrated. The cost for student health insurance is not covered by Free Community College.

Student health insurance waivers

Are there any reimbursement options for students who have already completed their associate degree or refunds for costs paid for coursework prior to Free Community College being signed into law?

Students who completed their degree or took coursework prior to the implementation of MassReconnect (fall 2023, age 25+) or MassEducate (fall 2024) who have outstanding bills or loans are still required to pay those costs. The Free Community College program does not allow for or provide retroactive funding for students who paid for coursework prior to MassReconnect and MassEducate being signed into law.

Is a student eligible if they were dismissed from a community college due to not maintaining satisfactory academic performance (SAP)?

SAP Policy

Please note that students are not automatically ineligible for free community college if they were dismissed for SAP reasons. Colleges should follow their existing policies for reenrolling a student with a past SAP issue.

Is a student eligible if they were dismissed from a community college for disciplinary action?

Reenrollment after disciplinary dismissal

Please note that students are not automatically ineligible for free community college if they were dismissed for disciplinary action. Colleges should follow their existing policies for reenrolling a student with a past disciplinary issue.

If a student is not Pell-eligible, will their costs still be covered?

Yes. Students are eligible for coverage for tuition and fees even if they are not Pell-eligible. Free Community College does not have an income threshold for tuition and fee coverage.

Are high school early college and/or dual enrollment students eligible?

Students who are currently enrolled in early college or dual enrollment courses or programs are not covered under Free Community College, and students must have earned a high school diploma or equivalent to be eligible for Free Community College.

Past participation in early college or dual enrollment does not make a student ineligible for free community college if they have earned their high school diploma or equivalent.

Are workforce/non-credit courses covered?

Only if they are initial training requirements for emergency medical technical and paramedic certification.

Are developmental courses covered under Free Community College?

Yes. All courses must be financial aid eligible to be covered. These include courses that apply to a student’s enrolled program of study and eligible developmental and repeated courses. Most courses are eligible courses.