Is Community College Free? Yes, in These States
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Updated on July 23, 2024
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Get an associate degree, certificate, or workforce training tuition-free in 35 states.
Credit: SDI Productions / E+ / Getty Images- While free community college struggles to gain national acceptance, at least 35 states offer tuition-free community college education.
- Many states offer free tuition for students who pursue degrees or certificates in high-demand fields.
- Americans largely support free community college, according to a BestColleges survey.
President Joe Biden recently attempted to integrate free community college into his 2024 budget with a $90 billion proposal to fund the initiative. However, the free community college bill has since stalled in the U.S. Senate after being read twice in October 2023.
Politicians have debated the idea of free community college nationwide for years. During his 2020 presidential campaign, Biden introduced the concept in the Build Back Better plan before it failed to gain congressional support in October 2021.
While free community college struggles to take off at the federal level, it’s booming at the state level and is popular with most Americans. According to a BestColleges survey, 69% of respondents favor free community college for all or most first-time college students. Younger Americans are even more supportive.
BestColleges found 35 states that offer free tuition statewide, making community college accessible in most U.S. states. These states offer at least free tuition for students looking to begin their education at a community college or earn certificates and get training in highly needed fields or skilled trades.
Colorado, Minnesota, and New Hampshire are the latest states to implement free college. Colorado’s free community college program will take effect in 2025. Minnesota and New Hampshire’s programs start this fall.
States Offering Tuition-Free Community College
Last Updated: July 8, 2024, at 4 P.M. EST
- Who qualifies: High school graduates from an Arkansas public school or equivalent or those who have lived in the state for the last three years
- Need to know: The Arkansas Futures Grant gives full-time and part-time students free tuition and fees for certificates and associate degrees at public institutions. Students must complete 15 hours of community service and participate in a monthly mentoring program. After finishing their certificate or associate degree, students must live in Arkansas for three consecutive years and have a job within six months.
- Who qualifies:
- The California College Promise Grant: In-state students with financial need
- The California Promise: In-state first-time, full-time students from low-income families or Pell-eligible students
- Need to know: The California College Promise Grant waives community college enrollment fees for students with financial need.
The California Promise allows individual institutions to decide to either strengthen student support services or waive tuition and fees for eligible students. Students must finish their associate degree within two years and enroll in eligible majors, which vary by school.
- Who qualifies: In-state students with a family income of $90,000 or less per year who are enrolling in college within two years after high school graduation or an equivalent
- Need to know: The Colorado Promise: Two Free Years of College Expandedcovers tuition and fees remaining after other aid at any public four-year institution, technical college, or community college. The tax credit begins during the 2025 tax year, and students must complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid to qualify.
- Who qualifies: In-state full- or part-time students with a high school diploma or equivalent enrolling in a degree or certificate program
- Need to know:Connecticut State Community College offers students at least free community college tuition and fees at 12 locations around the state. Students must complete the FAFSA and register for six or more credits.
- Who qualifies: In-state, full-time students with a high school diploma or equivalent from Delaware enrolling in a degree or certificate program. Eligible, noncitizen students can also apply.
- Need to know:The SEED Scholarship covers the remainder of tuition after all other financial aid is applied for an associate degree, diploma, certificate, bachelor’s degree, or workforce training at Delaware Technical Community College and an associate of arts at the University of Delaware. There is no age requirement, except all applicants 25 and older must have lived in the state for five years. Students can go part time after their first semester and may take a year off without losing eligibility.
- Who qualifies:
- HOPE Grant: In-state full- or part-time students
- Zell Miller Grant: In-state full- or part-time students
- HOPE Career Grant: In-state full- or part-time students who are eligible for and receiving either the HOPE Grant or Zell Miller Grant
- Need to know:The HOPE Grant covers a portion of tuition costs, while the Zell Miller Grant covers the full tuition based on what school the student attends and hours enrolled at eligible public and technical colleges and universities. Students must pursue either a certificate or diploma. The HOPE Career Grant can cover all tuition in combination with the HOPE Grant or Zell Miller Grant for students in 18 programs of study.
- Who qualifies: Students qualifying for in-state tuition enrolled at a University of Hawai’i community college for at least six credits per semester
- Need to know:The Hawai’i Promise covers tuition and fees not covered by other forms of financial aid and gives an allowance for books and supplies at the University of Hawai’i Community Colleges. Students must complete the FAFSA.
- Who qualifies: In-state students with a high school diploma or equivalent enrolling in a qualifying program. Dependent students must enroll full time, and independent students must enroll at least half time.
- Need to know:The Workforce Ready Grant, a last-dollar grant, covers tuition and fees for certificate programs at 71 schools, including technical colleges and Ivy Tech Community College. Eligible programs include:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Building & Construction
- Health Sciences
- IT & Business Services
- Transportation & Logistics
- Who qualifies: Full- or part-time students with a recent high school diploma or equivalent, or students 20 and older. Students must have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of or below $20,000.
- Need to know:The Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship covers the remaining tuition and fees after all other grants and scholarships for certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees.
- Who qualifies: In-state students who graduated from high school or equivalent within 12 months. Students must have a household income of:
- $100,000 or less for a family of two
- $150,000 or less for a family of three
- $150,000 + $4,800 per additional family member beyond three
- Need to know:The Promise Act Scholarship covers the remaining tuition and fees after all other scholarships for students pursuing one of nine approved fields of study. Students can study at public community and technical colleges, the Washburn Institute of Technology, and private nonprofit institutions with eligible programs. The scholarship covers a total 68 credit hours or $20,000, whichever comes first.
- Who qualifies: In-state students with a high school diploma or students working on their GED diplomas without an associate degree or higher. Students must complete the FAFSA and apply for the scholarship.
- Need to know:The Work Ready Scholarship Program covers tuition for up to 60 credits for certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees at eligible community and technical colleges and other schools.
- Who qualifies: Louisiana residents and U.S. citizens 20 or older with a high school diploma or equivalent
- Need to know:The M.J. Foster Promise Program covers tuition, fees, and mandatory books and supplies after other financial aid is applied. Full-time students will receive $3,200 a year for up to three years. Students in high-cost programs can receive up to $6,400 a year. Students can attend the state’s community and technical colleges, Louisiana State University Eunice, Southern University at Shreveport, and certain proprietary schools.
- Who qualifies: In-state students who earned a high school diploma or equivalent between 2022 and 2025
- Need to know:The Free College Scholarshipcovers tuition and fees for all recent in-state high school graduates who pursue a degree or certificate program at any of Maine’s community colleges.
- Who qualifies: In-state full- or part-time students with a high school diploma or equivalent making below $100,000 if the applicant is single or resides in a single-parent household or $150,000 if the applicant is married or lives in a two-parent household
- Need to know:The Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship covers all remaining tuition and fees up to $5,000 after other financial aid is applied for a certificate or associate degree program.
- Who qualifies:
- MassGrant Plus Expansion: In-state Pell-eligible and middle-income students
- MassReconnect: In-state students ages 25 and older
- Need to know:The MassGrant Plus Expansion covers tuition, fees, and expected family contribution for Pell Grant-eligible students. These students can be either full or part time. Middle-income students who earn between $73,000 and $100,000 will have tuition and fees reduced to half of their out-of-pocket expenses. These students must be enrolled full time. MassReconnect offers all residents 25 and older free tuition and fees and an allowance at the state’s community colleges. Gov. Maura Healey is expected to sign a budget proposal soon that includes free tuition and fees for all community college students.
- Who qualifies: All in-state high school graduates
- Need to know:The Community College Guaranteecovers tuition for Michigan high school grads working toward an associate degree or certificate at a state community college.
- Who qualifies: All in-state high school graduates from families earning below $80,000 who are attending a public institution or tribal college and taking at least one credit
- Need to know:The North Star Promise covers tuition and fees after all other aid is applied for students pursuing a degree, diploma, or certificate. Students must not be in student loan default or have a bachelor’s degree.
- Who qualifies: Graduates who spent two years prior at an A+ designated high school and maintained a 95% attendance record and 2.5 GPA.
- Need to know:The A+ Scholarship covers all tuition and fees after all other financial aid for eligible students at participating public community colleges, vocational/technical schools, or certain private two-year vocational/technical schools. Recipients must provide 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring.
- Who qualifies: Half- and full-time in-state students with a minimum 2.5 high school GPA enrolling at a community college, tribal college, or a two-year institution in the Montana university system
- Need to know:The Montana Promise Grant covers the remaining tuition after all other financial aid for two years. Students must maintain a 2.7 GPA and volunteer eight hours of community service each semester.
- Who qualifies: Full-time in-state high school graduates or equivalent or graduates from a county bordering Nevada that accepts Nevada residents
- Need to know:The Nevada Promise Scholarship covers up to three years of tuition and fees at Nevada community colleges after all other financial aid is applied.
- Who qualifies: Part- or full-time Pell Grant-eligible students
- Need to know: The Community College System of New Hampshire Promise Program covers tuition and fees after all other aid is applied at New Hampshire’s community colleges.
- Who qualifies: Part- or full-time New Jersey residents, including undocumented students who can access state-administered grants and scholarships, making $100,000 or less
- Need to know: The New Jersey College Promise Program covers all tuition based on the applicant’s income for up to four years. Students can also transfer to a four-year institution and get more funding through the Garden State Guarantee. Students can either fill out the FAFSA or New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application to qualify.
- Who qualifies: In-state high school graduates or equivalent pursuing a training certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree at any New Mexico public college or university
- Need to know: The New Mexico Opportunity Scholarshipcovers 100% of tuition. Students are not required to fill out the FAFSA. Recent graduates must enroll in 15-18 credit hours. Returning learners can enroll part time and take 6-18 credit hours.
- Who qualifies: Full-time in-state U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens from families making $125,000 or less per year
- Need to know:The Excelsior Scholarship Program covers tuition at any State University of New York or City University of New York school.
- Who qualifies: Part- or full-time high school graduates or equivalent qualifying for in-state tuition from households making $80,000 or less
- Need to know:The Next NC Scholarship covers tuition and fees at all state community colleges. Students taking less than six credits will receive a partial scholarship, and public university attendees will receive a minimum of $5,000.
- Who qualifies: Oklahoma eighth- through 11th-graders (or homeschool equivalent) whose family’s adjusted gross income does not exceed:
- $60,000 with 1-2 dependent children
- $70,000 with 3-4 dependent children
- $80,000 with five or more dependent children
- Need to know:Oklahoma’s Promise covers tuition at public institutions or a portion of tuition at private institutions for up to five years. Students have up to three years after high school to enroll in college.
- Who qualifies: In-state high school graduates or equivalent starting college right after high school. Students may need to meet certain expected family contribution limits.
- Need to know:The Oregon Promise Grant covers tuition costs after other financial aid at any Oregon community college. The income eligibility requirements change yearly based on available funding.
- Who qualifies: Full-time in-state 2024 high school graduates or equivalent who are enrolling in community college right after high school
- Need to know:The Rhode Island Promise covers tuition costs at Community College of Rhode Island for two years. Students must earn 30 credits each year.
- Who qualifies: All South Carolina high school graduates enrolled in high-demand fields at the state’s technical colleges
- Need to know:The Workforce Scholarships for the Future covers tuition and fees up to $5,000 after all other aid until funds are exhausted. Students must complete one of the following requirements: be employed, take a financial literacy course, or do 100 volunteer hours.
- Who qualifies:
- Tennessee Promise Scholarship: In-state high school graduates or equivalent
- The HOPE Scholarship: In-state high school graduates enrolling in public or private colleges and universities with a minimum 3.0 GPA and 21 ACT or 1060 SAT score
- Need to know:The Tennessee Promise Scholarship covers the remaining tuition and fees after all other aid. Students must attend a mandatory Tennessee Promise meeting and complete eight hours of community service per semester. The HOPE Scholarship covers up to $1,600 per full-time enrollment semester for two-year institutions. Awards are also available during the summer.
- Who qualifies: In-state high school graduates or equivalent studying at the Community College of Vermont in person or online from families making $75,000 or less
- Need to know: New and returning students to the Community College of Vermont are eligible for the 802 scholarship covering tuition.
- Who qualifies: Part- or full-time students at an approved program who qualify for in-state tuition and have a household income below about $124,000
- Need to know:The G3 program covers tuition, fees, and books after all other aid is applied. Students must enroll in one of five high-demand fields: healthcare, information technology, public safety, skilled trades, and early childhood education.
- Who qualifies: Part- or full-time in-state students, including undocumented residents, with a high school degree.
- Need to know:The Washington College Grant pays for tuition for students who complete the College Bound pledge: To graduate from a Washington high school, get accepted to an in-state college, have no felony convictions, and complete the FAFSA. The grant is based on family size, income, and program cost for students pursuing an approved certificate program, job training, apprenticeship, or college degree. For example, for a family of four making:
- $78,500 or less, college or career training could be free
- Up to $120,500, the student would receive partial funding for college or career training
- Who qualifies: Part- or full-time students who are residents of West Virginia for at least one year immediately before applying for the West Virginia Invests grant. They must have a high school diploma or equivalent and commit to living in the state for at least two years after leaving school.
- Need to know:The West Virginia Invests Grant pays for tuition and fees after other financial aid is applied. Students must pay for and take a drug screening 60 days before their first term and complete two hours of unpaid community service each term until they earn an associate degree or reach 90 credit hours.
- Who qualifies: High school and home school graduates who meet GPA and ACT score requirements
- Need to know: There are four-tier max awards each semester for the Hathaway Scholarship: Honors for $1,680, Performance for $1,260, Opportunity for $840, and Provisional for $840. Each tier requires different academic achievement expectations.