Earn your degree for free at NSCC
Free Community College allows Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree to attend any of the state’s 15 community colleges and pay no tuition or fees. The program includes an allowance for books and supplies for certain students, based on income and enrollment.
The Flight Fees for NSCC's Aviation Science Professional Pilot Associate Degree are currently not approved for free college funding.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for Free Community College, you must:
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Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
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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.
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Apply to North Shore Community College and enroll in an approved program of study. Applications are open all year long and there’s never an application fee. Classes start in the fall, spring, and summer.
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The Flight Fees for NSCC's Aviation Science Professional Pilot Associate Degree are currently not approved for free college funding.
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Have physically resided in Massachusetts for at least one year, as of the start of your first enrolled term.
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Have earned a high school diploma or the equivalent (GED/HiSET).
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Be enrolled in:
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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.
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Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the college's requirements.
More Information
Learn more about how Free Community College in Massachusetts works. Fill out our inquiry form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Expand AllCollapse AllFree Community College allows Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree to attend any of the state’s 15 community colleges and pay no tuition or fees and includes an allowance for books and supplies for certain students.
No, the 26-27 academic year simply combines the two programs under the umbrella of Free Community College.
Free Community College covers all course-related tuition and fees for eligible courses and provides an allowance of up to $1200 per academic year towards books, supplies, and other expenses for students whose household income at or below 125% of the state median income.
Please note that this is a change from prior years. In the past, MassReconnect provided a book and supply allowance for all students, regardless of household income.
In order to maintain funding, students must:
- Remain physically residing in Massachusetts
- Enroll in 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 enrolled
- Programs must be Title IV eligible to be covered under Free Community College
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the college's requirements.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually
- If students are not eligible to complete the FAFSA but are an approved “High School Completer” under the Massachusetts tuition equity law, they should complete the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA).
If a student earns a bachelor’s degree while receiving Free Community College funding, they are no longer eligible for either program.
Please visit northshore.edu/paying for more information about costs.
Free Community College is a last dollar financial aid grant awards that are applied to a student’saccount after all other state and federal financial aid and grants are applied.
All students are subject to program guidelines and must maintain eligibility throughout thecourse of their studies to continue to receive financial aid through the Free Community Collegeprogram. All students must complete the current FAFSA or MASFA to be considered eligible.
For the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters, students must complete the 2026-2027 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.