MassBay Community College is prepared to welcome students through Governor Healey’s MassReconnect program, which will enable Massachusetts residents who are 25 years of age and older without a college degree to obtain an associate degree or certificate for free at any Massachusetts public community college. MassReconnect will cover the direct costs of tuition and fees, and will also provide an allowance for books and supplies for eligible students.
Students who are considering coming to MassBay in September through the MassReconnect program must fill out MassBay’s free application and fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible.
“This is a very wise investment being made by Governor Healey and our legislature,” said MassBay President David Podell. “Today’s ever-changing modern workforce requires skilled and trained workers, and yet the skyrocketing cost of higher education has put it out of reach for millions of Massachusetts residents. MassReconnect will truly be life-changing for our students, providing them with the access they’ve long needed to achieve the required credentials for in-demand careers that offer a sustainable wage. MassBay is proud to participate in this tremendous opportunity, and we thank our state leaders for their support.”
The MassReconnect was proposed before the Massachusetts legislature as part of the fiscal year 2024 budget process, and was signed by Governor Healey today, August 9, 2023. Students can begin attending college for free starting in the fall 2023 semester. Applications to MassBay for fall semester are due by Tuesday, August 29, 2023, classes begin on Tuesday September 5, 2023.
To be eligible to attend MassBay for free for the fall semester, students must:
- Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Apply to MassBay
- Be 25 or older as of September 5, 2023
- Enroll in an eligible Certificate or Associate Degree program
- Take at least six (6) credits per semester
- Be a Massachusetts resident for the past year
- Have not previously earned a college degree anywhere
Interested students are strongly encouraged to attend the upcoming virtual MassReconnect Information Session:
What: MassBay MassReconnect Info Session
When: Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 6:30 pm
Where: Virtually. Join by clicking this link: https://bit.ly/3Q3HcAu
“There will never be a better time than fall 2023 to go to college,” said MassBay Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management Lisa Slavin. “Data shows that 70% of jobs in Massachusetts require an Associate Degree, and on average students with their degree earn $12,000 more per year than those with a high school diploma or the equivalent. We are eager to get the word out to all eligible students about the advantages of this impactful MassReconnect program.”
Admissions applications for MassBay’s fall semester are due by Tuesday, August 29; classes begin Tuesday, September 5.
For more information about MassReconnect, MassBay programs, or to fill out a free MassBay application, visit massbay.edu/massreconnect. For questions or free help filling out FAFSA with professional financial aid counselors, visit massbay.edu/financial-aid/fafsa-assistance.
To learn more about MassBay, visit massbay.edu
MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston, offering a robust portfolio of courses and more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Ashland, Framingham, Wellesley Hills, and online. MassBay students receive an unmatched educational value by earning stackable credits that transfer to bachelor’s degree programs, and workforce-ready skills necessary to advance careers in high-demand fields such as health and life sciences, automotive technology, engineering, business, cybersecurity, and the humanities. MassBay’s Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) and Practical Nursing (LPN) programs were both ranked as the #1 Nursing Program in Massachusetts in 2020-2021 by national nursing advocacy organizations RegisteredNursing.org, and PracticalNursing.org. Since its founding in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by several governing bodies and remains firmly committed to its mission of meeting the needs of the diverse local communities it serves. We value the intrinsic worth of all individuals, collectively in pursuit of inclusiveness and prioritize our work towards achieving equity within our community and beyond.
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