MassReconnect: Free Community College for Adults 25+
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CONTACT DETAILS
Admissions Office
Fall River
Admissions@BristolCC.edu
774.357.2947
777 Elsbree Street
Fall River, MA 02720
New Bedford Campus
NewBedford@BristolCC.edu
774.357.4000
800 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Attleboro Campus
Attleboro@BristolCC.edu
774.357.3527
11 Field Road
Attleboro, MA 02703
UPCOMING EVENTS
MassReconnect is here! Free Community College! Get ready for the Fall 2024 semester!
What is MassReconnect?
MassReconnect covers the cost of community college for Massachusetts residents 25 or older without a previous college degree. Open to new and current Bristol students, now is the time to prepare for the Fall 2024 semester.
Bristol Community College has so much to offer adult learners, with specialized resources to help you learn, grow and succeed. Bristol's financial aid, admissions and advising staff are available to assist you get enrolled!
Learn more about MassReconnect: register for an Information Session here
Who is eligible?
Students are eligible for MassReconnect, if they:
- Are 25 or older on the first day of classes.
- Have not previously received an associate or bachelor's degree or the equivalent.
- Are enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester towards an associate degree or an eligible certificate program.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Have been a permanent legal resident of the Commonwealth for at least one year at
start of the enrolled term.
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Please note: Those in adjacent Rhode Island communities who are eligible for the in-state tuition rate at Bristol are not eligible for MassReconnect.
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- Maintain satisfactory academic progress according to the college's requirements.
What is covered under MassReconnect?
Tuition and fees are covered, and students will receive an allowance to pay for books and supplies.
For full details, please reference the MassReconnect Guidelines.
If I am interested in MassReconnect, what are my next steps?
Apply to Bristol Community College and complete the 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Thinking about applying but want to know more? Fill out our interest form to stay up-to-date.
What's holding you back?
Your Dreams are Within Reach! The idea of going back to college or starting college can seem overwhelming. Bristol has so much to offer adult learners. Learn more here!
Free College FAQs
MassEducate and MassReconnect allow 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. Both programs include an allowance for books and supplies for certain students.
MassEducate | MassReconnect |
---|---|
For any student with no previously earned bachelor’s degree. |
For students 25 and older with no previously earned associate or bachelor’s degree. |
Covers all course-related tuition and fees for eligible courses. |
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.* |
Provides an allowance of up to $600 per semester towards books and supplies, regardless of household income.* |
*Actual allowance amount varies by enrollment.
These programs are available to students who:
- Physically reside in Massachusetts for at least one year, as of the start of the enrolled term.
- 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).
- Are enrolled in at least six credits (usually two classes) per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the college's requirements.
Eligibility for books and supply allowances may differ between programs.
All students must complete the current FAFSA or MASFA to be considered eligible for these programs. For the Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 semesters, students must complete the 2024-2025 form; a new financial aid application must be submitted each academic year for continued funding.
Complete the FAFSA and your enrollment steps at Bristol, and we’ll take it from there! All residents of Massachusetts who meet the above eligibility criteria have access to tuition- and fee-free community college.
Funding for MassEducate and MassReconnect can only be awarded to eligible students who have registered for classes and completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). MassReconnect funds are being awarded now, but we must wait for the state’s final guidelines before we can award funds for MassEducate.
In the meantime, registered students who have been identified as potentially eligible for MassEducate will see a placeholder for $1 on their student account, which can be viewed in myBristol. We anticipate the final awarding to be completed by the end of August. At that time, students who are verified to be eligible will see the $1 replaced with the final award amount.
Community college can be free for students based on various sources, including Pell or MassGrantPlus, as well as MassReconnect or MassEducate. It’s important to note that some students that meet the criteria for MassReconnect or MassEducate may be fully funded through a combination of other sources. As last-dollar programs, MassReconnect and MassEducate will only apply if you haven’t already been covered by other federal or state funding.
A high school diploma is an eligibility requirement for MassEducate. As a result, early college and dual enrollment students are not eligible.
Certificates that are financial aid eligible can be covered by MassReconnect or MassEducate. Click here to see a full list of financial aid eligible certificates.
1. 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).
2. Apply to Bristol Community College and enroll in an approved program of study. Bristol accepts applications throughout the year and there is never an application fee.
Haven’t registered for classes? Be sure to do so as soon as possible. These funds can only be awarded once you are registered.
All registered students should proceed with the next steps in their enrollment process, including:
- 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, you can complete the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA) and still attend for free.
- Ensure all outstanding Financial Aid requirements have been met. A list of outstanding documents can be viewed on myBristol > Finances and Aid > #5 View Outstanding & Missing Documents/Financial Aid Holds.
- Complete your health insurance waiver: Students registered for nine or more credits are automatically charged for health insurance. Please note, MassReconnect and MassEducate do not cover the cost of health insurance that is automatically placed on your bill. Providing proof of insurance through the waiver will satisfy the health insurance charge on your bill. Log on to myBristol and navigate to the Finances and Aid section to complete the waiver.
- Complete any remaining steps of the Admitted Students Checklist.
Books and supplies may be covered through several of these programs. More information will be shared on this when you receive information on your final award.
In the meantime, we know that getting your books in advance of the start of classes is an important part of your success. While the college awaits final guidelines from the state, students who have been identified as someone who may be eligible for the MassEducate program will be awarded interim book advances. Eligible students will receive an email with more details.
Yes! MassEducate and MassReconnect are available to students regardless of need! Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible.
Final awarding guidelines from the Department of Higher Education are still pending. All eligible students who are enrolled for the Fall 2024 semester will have their costs covered. Students who have already paid some or all of their bill will receive a refund for eligible costs according to college policy and individual student circumstances.
If it is determined that you are eligible for MassEducate when those funds become available, your account will be refunded. Refunds are processed at the end of October.
Due to the short amount of time between the state’s approval of the program and the start of the semester, there will be some lag time between the bill due date and the award distribution. Rest assured, you will not face any enrollment disruptions due to non-payment until after the final awards have been communicated.
Yes. Please email the Financial Aid office at FinancialAid@BristolCC.edu from your Bristol email address, asking to decline your loans.
We are still waiting on final awarding guidelines from the state for these new grant funds. If you are eligible, your current award package for the fall semester will be automatically updated once these guidelines are implemented. We expect those guidelines in the next few weeks.
Yes, MassEducate is a new initiative that opens doors for even more students! MassEducate will now offer tuition- and fee- free community college to all Massachusetts residents, regardless of age, who have yet to earn a bachelor’s degree. You can visit BristolCC.edu/FreeCollege for more information on eligibility criteria!
Resources
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Adult Education - Don't let an incomplete high school education hold you back. Get back on track with Bristol’s Adult Basic Education (ABE) and HiSET/GED services.
- Advising - The Bristol team of academic advisors works in collaboration with the entire college community, faculty, and staff, to promote Adult Learners' success.
- Credit for Prior Learning - Get credit for learning through your work, life or learning experience.
- English as a Second Language - Get help developing your English language skills.
- Veterans Services - Get support and benefits through the Veterans Center.
- Library Learning Commons - Get help with writing, study skills, and more through free in-person and online tutoring for any student. The Learning Commons houses both the Writing and the Tutoring and Academic Support Centers.
- Disability Services - The Office of Disability Services (ODS) provides a full range of advocacy and learning services for Bristol’s diverse population of students with disabilities.
- Transfer Services - Bristol’s Transfer Services provides you with the transfer counseling needed to continue your education here at Bristol and at four-year colleges and universities.
- Child Care Center - Skip the high-priced daycare facilities with on-site childcare, available on the Fall River Campus.
- Career Services - Bristol helps put your education to use. Career Services is available for career counseling, job search assistance and networking opportunities.
- Tuition reimbursement - Did you know your employer may cover your college costs? Check with your company's human resources department.
Have questions? Contact Bristol’s Admissions team for more information.
Recipients who are later determined to be ineligible for MassReconnect may be billed for disbursed funds.