Free Community College allows Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree to attend QCC and pay no tuition or fees. The program includes an allowance for books and supplies for certain students, based on income and enrollment.
| Massachusetts Free Community College |
| Covers all course-related tuition and fees for eligible courses |
| Provides an allowance of up to $1200 per academic year towards books, supplies, and other expenses, based on household income.* |
*Actual allowance amount varies by enrollment.
Who is Eligible for Free Community College?
To be eligible for Free Community College, you must:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually
- 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).
- Apply to Quinsigamond 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 September 9, 2026 for the Fall 2026 semester.
- Have physically resided in Massachusetts for at least one year, as of the start of your first enrolled term.
- Have earned a high school diploma or the equivalent (GED/HiSET)
- 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 the college'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. Once awarded, students will be required to complete a Degree Status Affirmation form on The Q to verify eligibility before funds will be disbursed to their account.
All students are subject to program guidelines and must maintain eligibility throughout the course of their studies to continue to receive financial aid through the Free Community College program.
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. Students are still charged tuition and fees for the semester and will be responsible for any balance owed that cannot be covered through these programs.
Learn more about this program
Reach out to Us
For questions, please reach out to QCC's Financial Aid Office.