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Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) Plan

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The City of Boston’s allocation to MassBay for the 2024-2025 Tuition Free Community College (TFCC) has been reduced. Unfortunately, we are unable to award TFCC funds to new incoming students. If you are a returning MassBay student who was awarded TFCC funds in the 2023-2024 academic year, you will continue to receive the TFCC award in 2024-2025. 

 

Helping Boston residents afford, attend, and complete college

What is the Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) Program?
College is too important to be limited to those who can afford it. That’s why the City of Boston has committed to pay for up to three years of college for all Boston residents pursuing an associate degree or short certificate through its Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) Plan.

Beginning in Fall 2023, the City of Boston expanded eligibility for TFCC to include all Boston residents regardless of age, income, or immigration status (except international students on F or J visas.) The TFCC application period for entry in Fall 2023 has closed, and we are not accepting new applications for 2024-2025. Funding was distributed on a first-come first-served basis.

MassBay Community College is one of six participating area colleges.

Costs Covered:

  • All tuition and mandatory fees remaining after financial aid has been applied
  • $250 each semester for up to three years of college-related expenses such as books and/or transportation
  • Debt of up to $2,500 for students with an outstanding balance from a previous semester at MassBay that is preventing a student from re-enrolling
  • TFCC provides funding for up to three years, including summer semester.

Eligibility:

  • Be a Boston resident,
  • Enroll in an associate degree or short-term certificate program at MassBay,
  • *Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and add MassBay's School Code 002171,
  • Have completed the MassBay TFCC Application Form.  Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and the application period closed as of June 22, 2023.  We do not have funding to reopen applications for the 2024-2025 academic year.

* Students who are undocumented, DACA students, or have TPS, do not need to complete the FAFSA.

Next Steps:

Currently Enrolled MassBay Student - enrolled in a degree, certificate, or eligible non-credit program for Fall 2024.

Returning students who received TFCC funding in the 2023-2024 academic year will be rewarded for Fall 2024. As of June 22, 2023 the TFCC application period has closed.  MassBay is not accepting new TFCC applications.

FAFSA Help

 

Former MassBay Student with an Outstanding Balance

If you have last attended MassBay in Fall 2022, Summer 2022, Spring 2022, or Fall 2021 and have a balance on your student account, please call student accounts at 781-239-2540 or e-mail at studentaccounts@massbay.edu. Once you work with student accounts you will be directed to Academic Advising to work with an advisor to assist you in choosing your Fall 2024 courses.

If you last attended MassBay prior to Fall 2022, you will need to reapply to MassBay. Please refer to the section below for Prospective MassBay Students and submit a new admissions application to the college. 

Complete the 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The TFCC application period for Fall 2023 has closed.

FAFSA Help

Prospective MassBay Student

The three things you need to do are (1) apply for admission and (2) complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). As of June 22, 2023 the Fall 2023 TFCC application period has closed. SUBMIT A GENERAL ADMISSIONS APPLICATION NOWIf you are new to MassBay, or have taken some classes here and now want to pursue a degree or certificate, submit an Admissions Application by clicking above.

MassBay admits students to our degree and certificate programs on a rolling basis. Online applications are typically processed in about a week, and we will contact you if we require any additional information. The one general requirement for admission to a degree or certificate program is high school graduation (or equivalent). If you are a high school senior you are welcome to apply. If you completed high school outside the United States, MassBay requires that your educational documents be evaluated by an educational evaluation agency such as any listed on Foreign Degree and Credit Equivalency.

A few of our programs do have a secondary selective admissions process — including most of our Health Sciences programs, all of our Automotive Technology programs, and our Direct Support Certificate. If the program you select has additional requirements, we will let you know.  Official copies of college transcripts can also be submitted to the Admissions Office for consideration for transfer credit. For information on how to send forms, see How to Submit Admissions Forms.

To contact the MassBay Admissions office with questions, start a live chat with us during our business hours by clicking the blue button located on the bottom right corner of the How to Apply and Enroll, call 781-239-2500, or email admissions@massbay.edu.

FAFSA Help

If you are unable to complete the FAFSA due to one of these reasons:

  • Your program of study is not FAFSA Eligible (EMT, Phlebotomy, Central Processing, Computed Tomography, and all non-credit programs)
  • Your citizenship status is not FAFSA eligible

and we can confirm your Boston residency, you will receive a form to complete in lieu of completing a FAFSA in early summer. 

 

Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) After MassBay

Boston Bridge provides an affordable path for students seeking to continue to four-year college.

Boston Bridge

What are the benefits of the Boston Bridge?
As a TFCC student, you will earn:

  • A financial contribution each semester to help with school-related expenses, including a minimum $250 stipend
  • Complete payment of your tuition and mandatory fees during the final two years of your bachelor’s degree

How do I become eligible for the Boston Bridge?

  • Meet the requirements of the Tuition-Free Community College Plan
  • Have no more than 15 community college credits to start
  • Finish your associate degree in 2.5 years
  • Finish your bachelor’s degree in another 2 years
  • Attend college continuously, full-time
  • Maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA
  • Commit to one of 16 popular majors
  • Attend MassBay

Which majors can I pursue as a Boston Bridge student?
Use this helpful interactive guide to learn which associate degrees can lead into which bachelor’s degrees at particular four-year colleges.

If you have specific questions about TFCC at MassBay please contact enrollment@massbay.edu. If you have questions about the general TFCC program or Boston Bridge please, visit City of Boston Tuition-Free Community College Plan.