{
  "name": "State tuition-free college (promise) programs: eligibility rules by state",
  "description": "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) \u2014 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.",
  "url": "https://referencesource.org/state-promise-free-college-programs/",
  "licence": "unknown",
  "last_verified": "2026-08-18",
  "stale_after": "2027-08-18",
  "sources": [
    "https://cdhe.colorado.gov/colorado-promise",
    "https://cdhe.colorado.gov/students/preparing-for-college/colorado-promise/student-eligibility",
    "https://www.mass.edu/osfa/programs/masseducate.asp",
    "https://www.michigan.gov/reconnect/about",
    "https://www.ccri.edu/ripromise/"
  ],
  "records": [
    {
      "state": "Colorado",
      "program_name": "Colorado Promise",
      "institutions_covered": "any Colorado public postsecondary institution \u2013 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",
      "age_or_cohort": "Enroll at a Colorado public college or university within two years of completing high school",
      "residency_requirement": "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",
      "covers": "tuition and fees",
      "id": "colorado-promise-colorado",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/state-promise-free-college-programs/colorado-promise-colorado/",
      "source": "https://cdhe.colorado.gov/colorado-promise",
      "source_quote": "Colorado Promise: Two Free Years of College Expanded \u2013 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 \u2013 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\u2019s degree. Up to 65 credit hours. No application needed. If you're eligible, you're automatically enrolled \u2013 you\u2019re 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",
      "verified_fields": [
        "age_or_cohort",
        "covers",
        "funding_model",
        "income_limit",
        "institutions_covered",
        "program_name",
        "renewal_conditions",
        "residency_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "state"
      ]
    },
    {
      "state": "Massachusetts",
      "program_name": "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",
      "age_or_cohort": "students of any age",
      "residency_requirement": "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\u2019s requirements and federal standards",
      "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",
      "id": "masseducate-massachusetts",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/state-promise-free-college-programs/masseducate-massachusetts/",
      "source": "https://www.mass.edu/osfa/programs/masseducate.asp",
      "source_quote": "In Massachusetts, we\u2019ve 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.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "age_or_cohort",
        "covers",
        "funding_model",
        "income_limit",
        "institutions_covered",
        "program_name",
        "renewal_conditions",
        "residency_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "state"
      ]
    },
    {
      "state": "Massachusetts",
      "program_name": "MassReconnect",
      "institutions_covered": "community college",
      "funding_model": "last-dollar resources awarded to eligible students",
      "age_or_cohort": "students 25 years and older",
      "id": "massreconnect-massachusetts",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/state-promise-free-college-programs/massreconnect-massachusetts/",
      "source": "https://www.mass.edu/osfa/programs/masseducate.asp",
      "source_quote": "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.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "age_or_cohort",
        "funding_model",
        "institutions_covered",
        "program_name"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "state"
      ]
    },
    {
      "state": "Michigan",
      "program_name": "Michigan Reconnect",
      "institutions_covered": "in-district community college",
      "funding_model": "last-dollar scholarship program",
      "age_or_cohort": "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_requirement": "lived in Michigan for a year or more",
      "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",
      "id": "michigan-reconnect-michigan",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/state-promise-free-college-programs/michigan-reconnect-michigan/",
      "source": "https://www.michigan.gov/reconnect/about",
      "source_quote": "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.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "age_or_cohort",
        "covers",
        "funding_model",
        "institutions_covered",
        "program_name",
        "residency_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "state"
      ]
    },
    {
      "state": "Rhode Island",
      "program_name": "Rhode Island Promise",
      "institutions_covered": "CCRI",
      "age_or_cohort": "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 \u00ae completion.",
      "residency_requirement": "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.",
      "covers": "tuition-free",
      "id": "rhode-island-promise-rhode-island",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/state-promise-free-college-programs/rhode-island-promise-rhode-island/",
      "source": "https://www.ccri.edu/ripromise/",
      "source_quote": "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 \u00ae . 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 \u00ae completion. Attend CCRI in an associate degree program.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "age_or_cohort",
        "covers",
        "institutions_covered",
        "program_name",
        "renewal_conditions",
        "residency_requirement"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "state"
      ]
    }
  ]
}