city_hall

Official websites use .boston.gov

A .boston.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the City of Boston.

lock

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

System Maintenance
/
The City of Boston is experiencing a maintenance update with the Special Item Collection system. Please check back on Wednesday 12/18.
Try AI Search Through our AI search, you can quickly find semantic answers to your questions related to Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion services.
Last updated:

Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) Plan

With the advent of the state’s MassEducate and expanded MassGrant programs, Boston’s Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) will be phased out

Since 2016, TFCC has proven the feasibility and impact of universal free community college. During our tenure, including last year’s landmark expansion to include all Boston residents regardless of age, income, and immigration status, we have funded nearly 2,000 students. TFCC has funded associates and short-term certificate programs at six partner schools: Bunker Hill Community College, Roxbury Community College, Franklin Cummings Tech, MassBay, Massasoit, and Urban College. 

Though TFCC is phasing out, we remain dedicated to advancing postsecondary initiatives throughout the state. We will continue to fund current TFCC students through the end of our three-year commitment. Boston is committed to piloting new programs, focusing on postsecondary readiness, workforce development, and job placement. 

If you are a current TFCC student who has questions about your funding, please contact your college since each partner handles their own financial aid. 

To learn more about the State’s financial aid plans, please visit their website.

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
02108, 02109, 02110 Beacon Hill/Downtown
02111 Chinatown and Surrounding Areas
02113, 02114 North End, Beacon Hill/West End
02115, 02215, 02116 Fenway, Fenway/Kenmore, Back Bay
02118, 02119, 02121 South End, Roxbury
02120 Mission Hill
02122, 02124, 02125 Dorchester
02126 Mattapan
02127, 02210 South Boston, Waterfront
02128 East Boston
02129  Charlestown
02130 Jamaica Plain
02131 Roslindale
02132 West Roxbury
02134, 02135, 02163 Allston, Brighton
02136 Hyde Park
02199, 02203 Prudential Center, Government Center
02467 Boston/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.

Back to top