Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey on Thursday visited MassBay Community College to celebrate the launch of a new program that makes community college free for residents over age 25.
The program, called MassReconnect, was part of Healey’s inauguration speech and her first budget proposal. The budget, which was signed into law earlier this month, includes $20 million for the first year of implementation.
Each of the state’s 15 community colleges is also receiving $100,000 to help launch the program.
“This is a long-term investment not just in these students, ultimately, that redounds to the benefit of their families. But it also is about an investment in our state,” Healey said.
Potential students still have time to enroll in MassReconnect for the fall semester. To qualify, students who have not previously earned a college degree need to enroll in at least six credits per semester in an approved program of study leading toward an associate degree or certificate and complete the Free Application for Student Aid.
MassReconnect is expected to support between 6,500 and 8,000 students during the first year and up to 10,000 during the second year, Healey’s office said.
“MassReconnect will be transformative for thousands of students, for our amazing community colleges, and for our economy,” said Healey. “It will bolster the role of community colleges as economic drivers in our state and help us better meet the needs of businesses to find qualified, well-trained workers. We can also make progress in breaking cycles of intergenerational poverty by helping residents complete their higher education credentials so they can attain good jobs and build a career path. Our administration is grateful for the partnership of the Legislature to move forward on this critical program that will make our state more affordable, competitive and equitable.”