WORCESTER – Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) announced on Thursday that it awarded 410 student $1.2 million to cover tuition, fees and books under Massachusetts’s new MassReconnect program that makes community college free for eligible Massachusetts residents aged 25 and older.
QCC President Dr. Luis Pedraja joined Governor Maura Healey earlier today for the official announcement of MassReconnect at MassBay Community College’s Wellesley Campus. The program establish free community college for Massachusetts residents aged 25 and older. Healey also announced awards of $100,000 to each of Massachusetts’ 15 community colleges to support the quick implementation of the program this fall.
The state budget includes $20 million in MassReconnect funds for the first year of implementation. Each community college will also receive $100,000 from this funding to support student and community program awareness, staffing, and program administration.
The only steps necessary to sign up are to enroll in at least six credits per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate at one of the Commonwealth’s 15 community colleges and complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid). There is no deadline to sign up. The majority of community college programs begin the first week of September, but there are scattered start dates throughout the semester, so students can enroll at any time.
In order to qualify for MassReconnect, students must be 25 or older on the first day of their classes and be a permanent Massachusetts resident for at least one year at the start of the enrolled term. The program is limited to residents who have not previously earned a college degree (associates or bachelor’s) who enroll in at least six credits per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate at a community college.
MassReconnect will be transformative for thousands of students, for our amazing community colleges, and for our economy,” said Governor Healey.
“Governor Healey’s MassReconnect initiative will be life-changing for so many residents in the Commonwealth who, until now, have not had the financial means to attain or complete a college education,” said Dr. Pedraja.
Learn more about the program on the QCC website.
