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Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) Plan

Helping more Boston residents afford, attend, and complete college.

The 2024-2025 Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) Plan pays for up to three years of tuition and fees for Boston residents ages 18-24 who are pursuing an associate degree or an eligible certificate program at a partner college. Funding is available on a first-come first-serve basis.

Funding is available for students ages 25 and up through the following programs:

Before You Apply

Eligibility

The 2024-2025 TFCC eligibility requirements are as follows. Students must: 

  • Be a 18-24 year old Boston resident without an advanced degree. 
  • Enroll in an associate degree or short-term certificate program at a partner college.
  • Complete the FAFSA, MAFSA, or alternative form offered by the partner colleges.* 
  • Submit any requested documentation from the partner college.

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

*Please Note: Non-US citizens should only fill out the FAFSA if they have attended a high school in Massachusetts for at least three years and earned a high school diploma or the equivalent. While still eligible for TFCC, students who cannot fill out the FAFSA/MAFSA should reach out to the school about an alternative form. 

Not sure if you're a Boston resident?

To be a resident, you must live in one of the zip codes listed below:

Zip codes Neighborhood
Zip codes02108, 02109, 02110
NeighborhoodBeacon Hill/Downtown
Zip codes02111
NeighborhoodChinatown and Surrounding Areas
Zip codes02113, 02114
NeighborhoodNorth End, Beacon Hill/West End
Zip codes02115, 02215, 02116
NeighborhoodFenway, Fenway/Kenmore, Back Bay
Zip codes02118, 02119, 02121
NeighborhoodSouth End, Roxbury
Zip codes02120
NeighborhoodMission Hill
Zip codes02122, 02124, 02125
NeighborhoodDorchester
Zip codes02126
NeighborhoodMattapan
Zip codes02127, 02210
NeighborhoodSouth Boston, Waterfront
Zip codes02128
NeighborhoodEast Boston
Zip codes02129 
NeighborhoodCharlestown
Zip codes02130
NeighborhoodJamaica Plain
Zip codes02131
NeighborhoodRoslindale
Zip codes02132
NeighborhoodWest Roxbury
Zip codes02134, 02135, 02163
NeighborhoodAllston, Brighton
Zip codes02136
NeighborhoodHyde Park
Zip codes02199, 02203
NeighborhoodPrudential Center, Government Center
Zip codes02467
NeighborhoodBoston/Other (including portions of Boston and Chestnut Hill)

Please Note: Due to FAFSA/MAFSA delays, TFCC communications and funding for the 2024-2025 school year are also delayed. Schools will not know how many new students will receive TFCC funding until they know more information about the FAFSA/MAFSA. Students are advised to apply and fill out their financial aid forms since any available funding will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Given the delays, students may not receive their financial aid packages until later in the Spring, depending on when they complete their forms. If students have specific questions, they should contact the schools. 

Participating Colleges 

TFCC students can enroll in associate degree or certificate programs at any of the following institutions:

*There are limited TFCC slots available at the Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology.

Costs Covered
  • Tuition and mandatory fees remaining after any other applicable financial aid has been applied.
  • $250 each semester for up to three years of college-related expenses such as books or transportation.

How to Apply

  1. Apply to a partner college. 
  2. Fill out your FAFSA/MAFSA or the equivalent.
  3. Submit any requested documentation by the priority deadline of July 1

Funding is available on a first-come first-serve basis. Each partner college will make a determination on applying for financial aid packages and students are accepted on a rolling basis with a priority deadline of July 1. Students are encourage to apply early. 

Federal Grant Funding Disclosure
/
TFCC is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Community Projects grant at 100% of $1M, the U.S. Department of Labor’s ARPA at 100% of $3M, City of Boston’s Neighborhoods Job Trust at 100% of $1.6M, and non-governmental sources at 0% of $0.

Pursue a Free Four-Year Degree

Interested in continuing on to a four-year college? We have options!

MassTransfer Program

The Tuition Free Community College Plan has launched a pilot program in partnership with the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt). The program will cover tuition, fees, and mandatory supplies for PELL-eligible students transferring from a Massachusetts community college to a bachelor’s degree program at MassArt.

 Email questions to Shannon Gallagher, MassArt Transfer Admissions Counselor, at sagallagher@massart.edu.

Learn more

Boston Bridge

Boston Bridge is a partnership between the Tuition-Free Community College Plan and the State’s Commonwealth Commitment program that allows eligible students to earn a bachelor’s degree free of tuition and mandatory fees.

UPDATE: The Boston Bridge plan is currently under review. If you are interested in transferring to a four-year institution, please visit the MassTransfer website for more information. 

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