2023

MA Establishes Free Nursing & Community College Programs

Governor Maura Healey, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones and Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao
About

Governor Maura Healey, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones and Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao Credit: Accessed via flickr from Mass Governor account page (https://www.flickr.com/photos/massgovernor/52719940544/). No changes made.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration makes community college nursing programs free for all students and community college free for Massachusetts residents aged 25 and older. These actions improve access to educational opportunities in the state in addition to addressing labor shortages in the medical field. Governor Healey stated that making community college accessible will "make progress in breaking cycles of intergenerational poverty by helping residents complete their higher education credentials so they can attain good jobs and build a career path." MassReconnect, the program for students 25 years and older, is expanded the following year; MassEducate builds on the momentum from MassReconnect and provides funding to make community college free for all students regardless of age or income. Tuition and fees are covered, and some students can get books and other supplies covered as well.
https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-celebrates-new-scholarship-program-that-covers-tuition-for-community-college-nursing-students https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-launches-free-community-college-for-massachusetts-residents-25-delivers-100000-to-each-community-college-for-implementation https://masscc.org/masseducate/