Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Free community college in the Commonwealth will soon come at a higher cost.
MassEducate has given all residents the ability to attend community college for free, building off a previous program called MassReconnect that was only available to those 25 years or older. Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) President Pam Eddinger said the program has been a game-changer, especially within the last year.
“Since then, we have gained double-digit enrollment, which shows you there’s a pent-up need,” said Eddinger. “In the community college world, if you’re up like three percent, everybody’s cheering to the rafters.”
The program will continue to provide free tuition, but a $1,200 stipend for books and supplies has been cut down to $1,000 by the Department of Higher Education (DHE). In a statement to WBZ NewsRadio, DHE said the change was due to enrollment increases, expanding FAFSA eligibility, and increasing fees at public community colleges and state universities.
“Due to progress we have made in increasing enrollment, we need to make adjustments to book and supply allotments in order to prioritize covering tuition and fees and ensuring state financial aid stays within FY26 budgetary limits,” said Eddinger.
According to Eddinger, more than 50 percent of students at BHCC are food insecure, and roughly 14 percent are homeless. Even though tuition will stay free, she is afraid that some of her students will “cut community college out of their lives” without the extra $200.
“It matters a great deal because their money is so tight,” said Eddinger. “I have students who would count their costs down to the dollar -- literally down to the dollar.”
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.