In a new state program called MassEducate, Massachusetts has made community college tuition free to all students living in the state in an effort to improve higher education. It was initially established in August 2023 for residents 25 years and older who do not have a bachelor’s degree. In the fall of 2024, it expanded to provide tuition money for any Massachusetts resident who has not earned a bachelor’s degree, and is attending any of the community colleges within the state.
According to the Healy-Driscoll administration reports, enrollment of undergrad students is increasing. With 9,482 new students as of this year, there are currently 77,226 students enrolled in community college. MassEducate was signed into state law by Massachusetts governor Maura Healey, making tuition and fees free for all students. This is the first time the enrollment of students has increased since 2013.
Further encouraging the higher enrollment in community colleges, WA has hosted a trip to Middlesex for an informational session. According to senior Mairead Catalano, the idea of free expenses has drawn a lot of attention to free community colleges.
“I’ve always been a little bit worried about paying for school and classes and it made me feel a lot less worried […] it will benefit me and other students giving us more opportunities,” Catalano said.
Along with the free tuition, MassEducate provides students with a $1,200 allowance to spend on school supplies and books depending on their income. Some students may also be eligible for additional aid to help with other costs of attending college.
As MassEducate extends free college to all Massachusetts residents regardless of age, a new program called MassConnect has been incorporated into MassEducate. MassConnect, a subcategory of MassEducate, is a mentorship program that helps and guides early-stage entrepreneurs through a network of investors who introduce them to funding opportunities. The financial support provided by both these programs allows students to focus on their academics without the burden of debt and finances.
“Having free tuition has positively affected my sense of possibility for the future, both academically and personally. […] Free tuition has allowed me to dream bigger and take risks,” senior Joseph Nickerson said.
Middlesex Community College (MCC) admissions representative Kristie Faletra sees this as a big change for first-generation students whose families previously didn’t have access to quality education.
“I can see how many students whose families might not have attended college, so they don’t. They’ve never had an idea of where to start, and they don’t know the steps to take,” Faletra said. “They’ve never thought that maybe college was for them. Working with the program brings me a lot of personal satisfaction.”
Moreover, higher enrollment calls for more job opportunities. With the student population increasing, community colleges have more staff positions available. This initiative not only benefits the students, but it also benefits those looking to find a job.
“It’s having an impact, not just on the students who are now attending college, but also our internal workforce,” Faletra said.
Lastly, the benefits of free college also include an increase in diversity and population. According to Faletra, enrollment among the Black and Latino communities has significantly increased which has brought more opportunities for cultural inclusivity.
“We’re definitely seeing not just high school students come back, but we’ve also seen adults coming back. [Adults] want to attain a degree, a certificate, to be able to go for promotions and try another career,” Faletra said.
