QCC Awarding Free College to Hundreds Under State’s New MassReconnect Program

Quinsigamond Community College has awarded 425 students close to $1.7 million to cover tuition, fees and books under Massachusetts’s new MassReconnect program, which makes community college free for eligible Massachusetts residents aged 25 and older. QCC’s financial aid and admissions departments worked rapidly to secure funding for the first group of students who will receive MassReconnect funding for the fall 2023 semester. QCC President Dr. Luis Pedraja joined Governor Healey in late August for the official announcement of the program.

"Governor Healey’s MassReconnect initiative will be life-changing for so many residents in the Commonwealth who, until now, have not had the financial means to attain or complete a college education,” said Dr. Pedraja. “At QCC, we anticipate MassReconnect to have a major impact on the communities we serve. This initiative will support thousands of Massachusetts residents to achieve their education and occupational goals, while increasing the economic health and prosperity of the Commonwealth. I want to personally thank Governor Healy and the Massachusetts legislature for supporting a program that will change the trajectory of the lives of so many people.” 

Governor Healey invested $20 million in MassReconnect for the first year of implementation in her first budget that she signed earlier this month. This funding covers the full cost of tuition and fees and includes an allowance for books and supplies at each of Massachusetts’ 15 community colleges. Additionally, each community college will also receive $100,000 from this funding to support student and community program awareness, staffing, and program administration.

“MassReconnect will be transformative for thousands of students, for our amazing community colleges, and for our economy,” said Governor 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.”

 n order to qualify for MassReconnect, students must be 25 or older on the first day of their classes and be a permanent Massachusetts resident for at least one year at the start of the enrolled semester. The program is limited to residents who have not previously earned a college degree (associates or bachelor’s) who enroll in at least six credits per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate at a community college. To learn more visit MassReconnect.