Free College is Here for All

• Are either:
  • A U.S. Citizen, permanent legal resident, or non-citizen eligible under Title IV regulations, or
  • An approved “High School Completer” per the Massachusetts tuition equity law.
• Have earned a high school diploma or the equivalent (GED/HiSET).
• 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, please complete the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA).
• Apply to MassBay and enroll in an approved program of study. To be eligible for free college this fall, apply by Friday, August 28. Fall semester classes start Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
• Have physically resided in Massachusetts for at least one year, as of the start of your first enrolled term.
• Be enrolled in either:

  • at least six credits (usually two classes) per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate. 

    OR 

  • courses that meet the initial training requirements for emergency medical technical and paramedic certification, regardless of credits earned.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with MassBay's requirements .

Free Community College is a last dollar financial aid grant award that is 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 Free Community College. For the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters, students must complete the 2026-2027 FAFSA or MASFA form; a new financial aid application must be submitted each academic year for continued funding.

Final program guidelines for the 2026-2027 academic year will be forthcoming.

Students who receive Free Community College awards who are later found to be ineligible for any reason may be billed for disbursed funds.

Students may be eligible to earn credit for past work experience or life skills. Learn more about MassBay’s credit for prior learning program.

All but two (2) credit-bearing certificates at MassBay are approved for free college. The programs that are not approved for the free college program are: Central Processing Technology and Phlebotomy Technician Certificates. Unfortunately, non-credit, community education programs are also not eligible for the free college program.