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Massachusetts governor Maura Healey signed a nearly $58 billion state budget bill Monday featuring a $117 million plan to expand the state’s free community college program, according to the Associated Press.
Prior to this year’s budget, the free college program, known as MassReconnect, only covered tuition and fees for nondegree holders over the age of 25. But with additional funds and a new title—MassEducate—the program will serve all residents without a bachelor’s degree so long as they attend college at least part-time and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or a state equivalent of the FAFSA form.
“Massachusetts today, we are firing on all cylinders,” Healey, a Democrat, said moments after signing the budget. “At the same time, we know that the competition is fierce and our residents face challenges, so we’re not resting and we’re not taking our foot off the gas.”
The 15 community colleges in Massachusetts serve more than 90,000 students, about 70 percent of whom attend school part-time while juggling work and family commitments. Students of color also make up more than half of the state’s community college population, and fewer than 25 percent have an annual household income above $120,000. The expansion gained support throughout the spring as MassReconnect proved to dramatically boost enrollment. It will be funded using revenue from the state’s recently implemented “millionaires’ tax”—a 4 percent tax on earnings over $1 million.
Nate MacKinnon, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges, called the program a "game-changer" saying it would have "generational impact" for people across the state.
"We wanted to create a simple, easy to understand, universal program. Our legislative leaders saw the value in doing so when they put this into their budget."
