Free Community College is Here
Northern Essex is now FREE
No matter your age or income, community college is now free in Massachusetts!
The MassEducate and MassReconnect programs allow eligible Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree to attend NECC for free.
No tuition. No fees. And both programs include an allowance for books and supplies for certain students.
MassEducate | MassReconnect |
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For any student with no previously earned bachelor’s degree. | For students 25 and older with no previously earned associate or bachelor’s degree. |
Covers all course-related tuition and fees for eligible courses. | Covers all course-related tuition and fees for eligible courses. |
Provides an allowance of up to $1,200 per academic year towards books, supplies, and other expenses, based on household income.* | Provides an allowance of up to $600 per semester towards books and supplies, regardless of household income.* |
* Actual allowance amount varies by enrollment.
Program Eligibility
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- If you are not eligible to complete the FAFSA and are an approved “High School Completer” under the Massachusetts tuition equity law, you can complete the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA) and still attend for free.
- Apply to NECC and enroll in an approved program of study. Applications are open all year long and there’s never an application fee. Classes start 7 times each year..
- Have physically resided in Massachusetts for at least one year, as of the start of your first enrolled term.
- Have earned a high school diploma or the equivalent.
- Early college high school and dual enrollment students are not eligible.
- Are enrolled in at least six credits (usually two classes) per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with college requirements.
MassEducate and MassReconnect are last dollar financial aid grant awards that are applied to a student’s account after all other state and federal financial aid and grants are applied.
All students are subject to program guidelines and must maintain eligibility throughout the course of their studies to continue to receive financial aid through MassEducate and MassReconnect. Full program guidelines will be forthcoming.
- Students who receive MassEducate or MassReconnect awards who are later found to be ineligible, for any reason, may be billed for disbursed funds.