asset: state-promise-free-college-programs

asset_type: eligibility

body: For each US state with a statewide tuition-free college ('promise' or 'reconnect') program: the program name, which institutions and credentials it covers, the funding model (last-dollar vs first-dollar, as the page states it), the income limit if any, the age or cohort restriction (recent graduates vs adults 25+), residency requirements, and renewal conditions (credits, GPA, continuous enrollment). Answers 'is community college free in [state]', 'do I qualify for [state]'s free tuition program', and 'does [state]'s promise program cover a bachelor's degree'. Production-edge candidate: roughly 35 programs, each defined by its own statute and agency rules, changing yearly (Massachusetts's MassEducate started fall 2024; Colorado Promise is a tax-credit mechanism unlike any neighbour) — a table nobody maintains because by-hand upkeep across 35 legislatures was prohibitive. No single original exists: the College Promise catalog is an annual PDF report, and page one is scholarship content mills (scholarships360, collegefinance, degreecalc) with no comprehensive current comparison. One authority per record: the state higher-ed agency or the administering college system's own page. The fact/advice split matters here: which program exists, who qualifies, what it covers are facts; 'should I enroll' is not our product.

key_field: state

licence: unknown

title: State tuition-free college (promise) programs: eligibility rules by state

type: dataset


body:
**State:** Colorado

**Program:** Colorado Promise

**Institutions covered:** any Colorado public postsecondary institution – community colleges, public four-year colleges, area technical colleges, or local district colleges

**Funding model:** reimbursed for tuition and fees through a yearly refundable tax credit

**Income limit:** Household income of $90,000 or less

**Who qualifies:** Enroll at a Colorado public college or university within two years of completing high school

**Residency:** established Colorado residency for at least one year

**Renewal conditions:** Begin a term with <66 credit hours Complete at least six credit hours in each term Earn a GPA of 2.5 or higher

**What it covers:** tuition and fees

> Colorado Promise: Two Free Years of College Expanded – the program builds on individual institutional promise programs (more on those below) and extends financial support to even more Colorado residents. At-a-glance Get reimbursed for tuition and fees through a yearly refundable tax credit. Attend any Colorado public postsecondary institution – community colleges, public four-year colleges, area technical colleges, or local district colleges. Graduate with a certificate (or two), an associate degree, or complete half of a bachelor’s degree. Up to 65 credit hours. No application needed. If you're eligible, you're automatically enrolled – you’re welcome. Steps to success 1: Qualify Enroll at a Colorado public college or university within two years of completing high school Annually complete a FAFSA or CASFA Household income of $90,000 or less 2: Perform Begin a term with <66 credit hours Complete at least six credit hours in each term Earn a GPA of 2.5 or higher 3: Get reimbursed Pay tuition and fees after all scholarships and grants

Source: <https://cdhe.colorado.gov/colorado-promise>

Source: <https://cdhe.colorado.gov/students/preparing-for-college/colorado-promise/student-eligibility>

covers: tuition and fees

income_limit: Household income of $90,000 or less

program_name: Colorado Promise

state: Colorado

title: Colorado — State tuition-free college (promise) programs: eligibility rules by state

type: eligibility


age_or_cohort: students of any age

body:
**State:** Massachusetts

**Program:** MassEducate

**Institutions covered:** public community college

**Funding model:** last-dollar resources awarded to eligible students

**Income limit:** free for students of any age and income

**Who qualifies:** students of any age

**Residency:** have physically resided in Massachusetts for at least one year, as of the start of the enrolled term

**Renewal conditions:** meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) according to the institution’s requirements and federal standards

**What it covers:** covers the full cost of tuition and fees for all eligible students. Students may qualify for an allowance of up to $1,200 for books and supplies based on income level. Some students may also be eligible for an additional allowance (up to $1,200) to help with other costs of attending college

> In Massachusetts, we’ve made community college tuition and fee free for all students through MassReconnect and MassEducate Building on the success of MassReconnect, which made community college free for students 25 years and older, the Healey-Driscoll Administration and state Legislature made public community college free for students of any age and income in Massachusetts. MassEducate covers the full cost of tuition and fees for all eligible students. Students may qualify for an allowance of up to $1,200 for books and supplies based on income level. Some students may also be eligible for an additional allowance (up to $1,200) to help with other costs of attending college.

Source: <https://www.mass.edu/osfa/programs/masseducate.asp>

income_limit: free for students of any age and income

institutions_covered: public community college

program_name: MassEducate

state: Massachusetts

title: Massachusetts — State tuition-free college (promise) programs: eligibility rules by state


age_or_cohort: students 25 years and older

body:
**State:** Massachusetts

**Program:** MassReconnect

**Institutions covered:** community college

**Funding model:** last-dollar resources awarded to eligible students

**Who qualifies:** students 25 years and older

> Building on the success of MassReconnect, which made community college free for students 25 years and older, the Healey-Driscoll Administration and state Legislature made public community college free for students of any age and income in Massachusetts.

Source: <https://www.mass.edu/osfa/programs/masseducate.asp>

institutions_covered: community college

program_name: MassReconnect


body:
**State:** Michigan

**Program:** Michigan Reconnect

**Institutions covered:** in-district community college

**Funding model:** last-dollar scholarship program

**Who qualifies:** Be at least 21 years old when you apply. Have lived in Michigan for a year or more. Have a high school diploma, high school equivalency (GED), or certificate of completion. Have not yet completed a college degree (associate or bachelor's).

**Residency:** lived in Michigan for a year or more

**What it covers:** pays for you to attend your in-district community college tuition-free or offers a large tuition discount if you attend an out-of-district community college

> Michigan Reconnect (Reconnect) is a last-dollar scholarship program that pays for you to attend your in-district community college tuition-free or offers a large tuition discount if you attend an out-of-district community college. To be eligible, you must: Be at least 21 years old when you apply. Have lived in Michigan for a year or more. Have a high school diploma, high school equivalency (GED), or certificate of completion. Have not yet completed a college degree (associate or bachelor's). Meet Michigan residency requirements: Independent students: 12 months of continuous Michigan residency before program start.

Source: <https://www.michigan.gov/reconnect/about>

funding_model: last-dollar scholarship program

institutions_covered: in-district community college

program_name: Michigan Reconnect

residency_requirement: lived in Michigan for a year or more

state: Michigan

title: Michigan — State tuition-free college (promise) programs: eligibility rules by state


body:
**State:** Rhode Island

**Program:** Rhode Island Promise

**Institutions covered:** CCRI

**Who qualifies:** Be 18 years old or younger (students who are 19, 20, or 21 in the year they graduate will submit an appeal). Enroll in the term immediately following high school graduation or GED ® completion.

**Residency:** Be a Rhode Island resident and graduate from high school (public, private, or homeschooled) or earn a GED

**Renewal conditions:** Maintain at least a 2.5 GPA. Earn at least 24 credits in the first year (30 credits strongly recommended). Enroll each semester for two years. (12 credits recommended) Stay on track to graduate in two years.

**What it covers:** tuition-free

> Eligibility for Rhode Island Promise To be eligible for the scholarship, students must: Be a Rhode Island resident and graduate from high school (public, private, or homeschooled) or earn a GED ® . Be 18 years old or younger (students who are 19, 20, or 21 in the year they graduate will submit an appeal). Enroll in the term immediately following high school graduation or GED ® completion. Attend CCRI in an associate degree program.

Source: <https://www.ccri.edu/ripromise/>

covers: tuition-free

institutions_covered: CCRI

program_name: Rhode Island Promise

state: Rhode Island

title: Rhode Island — State tuition-free college (promise) programs: eligibility rules by state