![MassBay Health Sciences students]( "MassBay Health Sciences students")
Who is eligible?
Massachusetts residents 25 years of age or older who do not already have a college degree can take advantage of this life-changing opportunity to earn an associate degree or certificate for free at one of the Commonwealth’s 15 public community colleges.
What is MassReconnect?
MassReconnect is designed to provide “last dollar” financial assistance to ensure that eligible community college students have adequate resources to fully cover the direct costs of tuition, fees, books and supplies, towards a certificate or associate degree at a public community college. As a last dollar grant, MassReconnect is applied after all other eligible aid is considered and won’t be applied if the other aid covers the students’ costs.
MassReconnect assistance awarded to eligible students under this program shall not exceed the calculated cost of tuition and fees, books and supplies, as published in the institution’s annual Cost of Attendance (COA), for the academic term, during which the award is made. MassReconnect funds may not be used to cover educational expenses not related to tuition, fees, books, and supplies.
Eligible individuals must:
- Be 25 or older on the first day of classes: January 22, 2024 for spring semester, May 22, 2024 for summer semester, or September 3, 2024 for fall semester.
- Have been a permanent legal resident* of the Commonwealth for at least one year at start of the enrolled term.
- Have not previously received an associate or bachelor’s degree or the equivalent.
- Enroll in at least six credits per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate.**
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress according to the college’s requirements.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Use the 2023-24 FAFSA for the summer 2024 semester. Use the 2024-25 FAFSA for the fall 2024 semester or the spring 2025 semester. The fall 2024 semester at MassBay begins on September 5, 2024.
*A permanent legal resident is a US citizen, Permanent Resident (green-card holder) or a person who qualifies for Title IV Federal funding. Students on F or J visas are not permanent legal residents.
** All but four (4) degree and credit-bearing certificates at MassBay are approved for MassReconnect. The programs that are *not* approved for MassReconnect are: Central Processing Technology, Computed Tomography, Emergency Medical Technician, and Phlebotomy. Unfortunately, non-credit, community education programs are not included in the MassReconnect program at any community college.
MassReconnect Virtual Information Sessions
Tuesday, March 19 at 6:30pm
Thursday, April 25 at 6:30pm
Wednesday, May 15 at 6:30pm
Sign up for a MassReconnect Information Session →
What is covered under MassReconnect?
Tuition and fees are covered, and students will may receive an allowance for books and supplies.
The number of credits a student is enrolled in, will determine the allowance for books and supplies: up to $300 for 6-8 credits, up to $450 for 9-11 credits and up $600 for 12 or more credits.
![Student at Graduation]( "Student at Graduation")
If I am interested in MassReconnect, what are my next steps?
- Apply to MassBay. Apply by January 14, 2025 to start classes January 21, 2025.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
MassBay FAFSA and FAFSA help information → - If you would like more information, please submit your contact information so we can send you further information and next steps: MassReconnect Information Request.
Have Questions?
Contact MassBay Admissions: admissions@massbay.edu, or 781-239-2500.
Recipients who are later determined to be ineligible for MassReconnect may be billed for disbursed funds.