Free community college in Massachusetts expected to draw 45,000 students within a year
WELLESLEY - Tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents are expected to take advantage of a new policy expanding eligibility for free community college in the state, Gov. Maura Healey says.
Healey was part of a celebration of the MassEducate program at MassBay Community College Wednesday.
She said 10,000 students have enrolled in community colleges for the fall semester, more than double the number of students who qualified for free tuition under "MassReconnect" a year before.
"This is a big deal," Healey said. "And we estimate that it's going to be 45,000 in no time, in just a year."
What to know about free community college in Massachusetts
The governor's budget dedicated $117.5 million for the free community college program. Much of it is being funded through the "Millionaire's Tax" in Massachusetts.
Anyone without a bachelor's degree who has lived in Massachusetts for at least a year and enrolls in about two classes per semester is eligible for free community college. There is also an allowance of up to $1,200 a year for books, supplies and other expenses, depending on a student's household income.
"It's a revolutionary change in higher education in Massachusetts," MassBay president David Podell said.
Senate President Karen Spilka said that community college enrollment "going through the roof" will help close the workforce gap in Massachusetts.
"Our community colleges help fill the gaps in health care, early education and care, life sciences, automotive," Spilka said. "We need skilled, talented folks going into all of these areas."
Helping students afford a higher education
Ziakeya Haggerty is 36 years old and was never able to earn a higher degree.
"I had went to college years ago and never finished," she said. "I realized that I just couldn't afford it."
But as Massachusetts expanded free community college eligibility, Haggerty learned about the free tuition possibility and enrolled at Roxbury Community College. She has plans to go to medical school and use her degree to help her neighbors in Boston.
Now Haggerty says she is doing her best to spread the word about free community college.
"Everybody I talk to, I inform, 'you know you can go back,'" she said.