Free community college? Here's what it would mean to these Brockton students.

Christopher Butler, The Enterprise
·3 min read
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BROCKTON — Twenty-six-year-old Kay Lodge plans to open her own business in Brockton when she completes her associate's degree at Massasoit Community College soon. She hopes to get a bachelor's degree in business down the line.

Meanwhile, the Brockton native is raising three little girls ages 6, 3 and almost 1.

"That's my motivation right there," she said.

Lodge joined two other Massasoit students to share her experience and struggles during the college's roundtable event on Thursday March 9, when Massachusetts Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler and commissioner of the state's Department of Higher Education Noe Ortega discussed Gov. Maura Healey's proposed MassReconnect program.

If passed, MassReconnect would cover the entire cost of community college for all Massachusetts residents over 25 years old — from tuition to classroom materials.

"The main thing everybody looks at is money," Lodge told The Enterprise. "It would've been way easier for me to not worry about the financial aid or textbooks."

Massasoit Community College student and mother of three Kay Lodge, 26, shares her experience and struggles at a roundtable event on Thursday March 9, 2023, at the college where Massachusetts Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler and Commissioner of the state's Department of Higher Education Noe Ortega discussed Gov. Maura Healey's proposed MassReconnect program that would cover the entire cost of community college for all Massachusetts residents over 25 years old.

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According to the college, 564 current Massasoit students would be eligible for free community college under the program.

"Having a program where we can train workers for free would really be a boom for the region's economy," said Ruben Barato, Massasoit's vice president of student services.

Massasoit Community College student Meghan Cronin talks about the challenges of raising three children while being a student at a roundtable event on Thursday March 9, 2023, at the college, where Massachusetts Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler and Commissioner of the state's Department of Higher Education Noe Ortega discussed Gov. Maura Healey's proposed MassReconnect program that would cover the entire cost of community college for all Massachusetts residents over 25 years old.

MassReconnect: What is it?

Included in Healey's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2024 is $20 million to establish the MassReconnect program, which the governor estimates could help 1.8 million residents across the state earn a degree from a community college.

“Our administration is committed to providing more equitable education and career pathways, which will expand opportunity for all and strengthen our economy,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll in the program's announcement.

“Community colleges, vocational and technical schools, apprenticeship programs and early college all provide meaningful opportunities for students to prepare for their future careers and set themselves up for success."

Massasoit Community College student Ailee Martin, right, speaks about her experience at the college and what she hopes to do in the future during a roundtable event on Thursday March 9, 2023, where Massachusetts Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler and Commissioner of the state's Department of Higher Education Noe Ortega discussed Gov. Maura Healey's proposed MassReconnect program that would cover the entire cost of community college for all Massachusetts residents over 25 years old. To the left is student Jacob Fleurimond.

Who qualifies for free tuition?

In order to qualify for the program, residents must:

  • Be at least 25 years old

  • Have been a resident of Massachusetts for at least one year

  • Have earned a high school diploma or equivalent

  • Have not yet completed a postsecondary degree

  • Have submitted a FAFSA financial aid form

  • Enroll at least part-time in an eligible college for at least two semesters in a 12-month period.

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What MassReconnect means for Massasoit

Lodge operates her own small design business on the side while taking classes and raising her kids. She designs everything from T-shirts to wedding invitations.

Lodge was hesitant to return to college, especially given the expenses. Each credit at Massasoit costs $224 for Massachusetts residents and $430 for non-local residents.

In an emotional speech at Thursday's roundtable — which marked Tutwiler and Ortega's first stop on their community college tour to promote the proposed program — Lodge explained the challenges of being a single mother while taking classes. Not to mention, her mother recently died.

"It's taught me a lot of confidence," she said.

Massasoit President Ray DiPasquale said that if the program is approved and enacted, it would help the school's student retention rates and "keep them in Brockton."

"(Healey's) talking about the importance of community college," DiPasquale said in an interview. "Think about the impact of that across the commonwealth."

As Massasoit beings to relax its vaccination policy and COVID-related restrictions (like the school's guest policy), DiPasquale said he thinks the MassReconnect program could be coming at the perfect time.

"We think it will open the door more," he said.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton Massasoit Community College: Healy proposes some free tuition