Learn where and how you can qualify for free education at community college!
Figuring out how to pay for college can be one of the most stressful parts of planning your education. This is where community colleges come into play, offering a more affordable option for students who want to further their education. But is community college actually free?
In this article, we’ll explore what community colleges are, how much they usually cost, and which states offer tuition-free programs.
What is a community college?
Community colleges are 2-year public schools that offer associate degrees and career-related certificates in numerous fields such as healthcare, technology, business, and the arts. Many students choose these institutions to complete their general education requirements for an affordable tuition fee and then transfer to a 4-year college or university to finish their Bachelor’s degree.
How much is community college?
Community colleges are quite affordable. According to the report from NCES, the average annual tuition for in-state students at a community college in the US is about $3,600. That’s significantly lower than the average annual tuition of $17,700 for in-state students at public 4-year universities.
Additional expenses like textbooks, supplies, transportation, and living expenses can add to the total cost of attendance. However, many students at community colleges qualify for financial aid, scholarships, and grants that can help offset these costs. Moreover, several states created programs that completely cover the costs of education for in-state students.
In recent years, more and more states are investing in programs that help students pursue higher education debt-free. As of 2024, over 30 states already offer or have announced a version of free college education, often called “promise programs.” These programs typically only cover tuition fees for in-state students. To qualify, you must be a resident of that state and a US citizen (or eligible non-citizen).
Tennessee
Tennessee Promise Scholarship
This program covers the remaining tuition and fees for in-state high school graduates after all other aid. Students can use the TN Promise Scholarship at any of the 13 community colleges, 24 colleges of applied technology, or other eligible institutions offering Associate degrees in Tennessee.
Requirements:
- Graduate from a high school in Tennessee
- Complete the scholarship application
- Complete the FAFSA
- Attend a mandatory Tennessee Promise meeting
- Complete eight hours of community service per semester.
The HOPE Scholarship
The HOPE Scholarship is awarded to freshmen enrolling at an eligible Tennessee college (not only community colleges). It covers up to $2,850 per full-time enrollment semester.
Requirements:
- Enroll in an eligible postsecondary institution within 16 months after graduating from an eligible high school
- Have a minimum of 21 ACT or 1060 SAT, or 3.0/4.0 GPA
Michigan
Community College Guarantee
This scholarship covers in-district tuition and fees and can include an extra $1,000 for Pell-eligible students, which can be used toward additional college costs.
Requirements:
- Complete the FAFSA
- Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year
- Graduate from a Michigan high school
- Enroll in a full-time college program within 15 months of your high school graduation
California
California College Promise Grant
Formerly known as the Board of Governors Fee Waiver, this grant provides tuition-free education to low-income students attending community colleges in California.
Requirements:
- Fill out the FAFSA
- Meet the income eligibility requirements
California College Promise
The state has also implemented the California College Promise program, which offers 1 to 2 years of free tuition to first-time, full-time students, regardless of income, at participating community colleges.
You can find more ways to fund your studies in California in our list of Top 13 California Scholarships.
Virginia
G3 Program
Virginia’s G3 (Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back) program provides tuition assistance for students pursuing high-demand fields at community colleges.
Requirements:
- Have a total household income less than or equal to 400% of the federal poverty level
- Enroll in an eligible program
- Fill out the FAFSA
- Complete at least 6 credits per semester
Minnesota
The North Star Promise
This is a “last-dollar” program for Minnesota residents. It’s covering the tuition and other fees that remain after all other grants, like the State Grant.
Requirements:
- Submit the FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act Application
- Have a family Adjusted Gross Income below $80,000
- Attend a Minnesota public higher education institution or Tribal College
Oregon
Oregon Promise Grant
Oregon’s Promise program offers tuition-free community college for recent high school graduates and GED recipients. Eligible students can attend any of the state’s 17 community colleges, with the program covering the remaining tuition costs after federal and state grants have been applied. The program also includes mentoring and support services to help students succeed.
Requirements:
- Enroll in a college right after high school
- Submit the grant application and FAFSA
- Have a minimum of 2.0 GPA
- Have no more than 90 college credits completed or attempted
New York
Excelsior Scholarship Program
New York’s Excelsior Scholarship program extends beyond community colleges, offering tuition-free education at both community colleges and four-year SUNY and CUNY schools for eligible students.
Requirements:
- Enroll in full-time study (a minimum of 12 credits per term)
- Complete at least 30 credits per year
- Have an adjusted combined federal household income of $125,000 or less
Washington
Washington College Grant
This grant pays for tuition (or part of the tuition, depending on the family income) for in-state students who complete the College Bound pledge and fulfill the requirements:
- Graduate from a Washington high school
- Get accepted to an in-state college
- Have no felony convictions
- Complete the FAFSA
- Be from a low- or middle-income household
New Mexico
New Mexico’s Opportunity Scholarship program is one of the most comprehensive in the nation. It covers tuition and fees for all state residents pursuing an associate degree or certificate at any of the state’s public colleges. The program supports both first-time and returning learners.
Requirements:
- Enrol in 15 to 18 credits in one of the participating colleges
- Returning learners can enroll part-time and take 6-18 credits
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Promise
The Rhode Island Promise program offers 2 years of free tuition to recent high school graduates attending the Community College of Rhode Island.
Requirements:
- Be younger than 19 years old
- Enroll right after graduating from high school
- Complete the FAFSA
- Submit your high school transcript
- Earn at least 30 credits per year
Colorado
Colorado Promise
The program covers tuition and fees for eligible students starting from the 2025 tax year. You can learn more in out article on Free College in Colorado.
New Hampshire
Community College system of New Hampshire
The CCSNH Promise program covers tuition for eligible students in all community colleges in New Hampshire.
Requirements:
- Submit the FAFSA
- Enroll for at least 6 credits per semester
Connecticut
CT State
CT State provides funding to cover the gap between federal and state grants and community college tuition, as well as mandatory fees.
Requirements:
- Fill out the FAFSA
- Register for at least 6 credits
Delaware
Student Excellence Equals Degree
Delaware’s SEED Scholarship Program provides tuition-free community college education for recent high school graduates who meet academic requirements.
Requirements:
- Graduate from a Delaware high school
- Have at least a 2.5 GPA, 1350 on the new SAT, or a composite ACT score of 19
Georgia
HOPE & Zen Miller Grants
These grants provide free tuition for students working towards a certificate or diploma, including those in the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) or University System of Georgia (USG) and high-demand majors.
Requirements:
- Meet enrollment requirements
- Maintain a certain GPA at the end of each term
Hawaii
Hawai’i Promise
Hawaii’s Promise program covers unmet direct costs for qualified University of Hawaii Community College students, ensuring that tuition, fees, books, and other expenses are fully covered.
Requirements:
- Fill out the FAFSA
- Enroll for at least 6 credits per semester
Indiana
Workforce Ready Grant
The Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant pays the tuition and mandatory fees for 2 years of eligible high-value certificate programs at Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University, Indiana Institute of Technology, or other approved providers.
Requirements:
- Submit the FAFSA
- Enroll full-time if you’re a Dependent Student, and at least half-time if you’re an Independent Student
Massachusetts
MassGrant Program
Massachusetts offers the MassGrant program and other financial aid initiatives that can significantly reduce the cost of community college tuition for eligible students.
Requirements:
- Submit the FAFSA
- Enroll in at least 6 credits per term
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
Commonwealth Commitment
The state has also launched the Commonwealth Commitment program, which offers rebates to students who complete their Associate degrees within 2.5 years and transfer to a 4-year state university.
Iowa
Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship
Iowa’s Last-Dollar Scholarship program covers tuition for students pursuing high-demand jobs at community colleges after other financial aid is applied.
Requirements:
- Enroll at least part-time in an eligible program
- Have a Student Aid Index at or below $20,000
- Fill out the FAFSA
Kansas
The Promise Act Scholarship
The Kansas Promise Scholarship covers tuition for community college students in high-demand fields.
Requirements:
- Enroll in a college within 12 months after graduating high school
- have a family 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
- Fill out the FAFSA
Kentucky
Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship
Kentucky’s Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship offers free tuition for certificate and diploma programs in high-demand fields at community colleges.
Requirements:
- Apply to an eligible program
- Fill out the FAFSA
Louisiana
M.J. Foster Promise Program
The M.J. Foster Promise Program provides financial assistance to eligible students who enroll in a qualified program at a 2-year public college or university.
Requirements:
- Be over 20 years old
- Study for a high-demand profession
- Submit the FAFSA
Maine
Free College Scholarship
The Free College Scholarship covers tuition and fees at any community college in Maine.
Requirements:
- Graduate high school between 2022 and 2025
- Submit the FAFSA
Maryland
Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship
Community College Promise Scholarship provides up to $5,000 of tuition assistance to eligible students attending community colleges in the state.
Requirements:
- Submit the FAFSA
- Have a GPA of 2.3 (or 2.5 during college)
- Be within the required income limits
Arkansas
AR Futures Grant
The Arkansas Future Grant covers tuition for students pursuing a degree in STEM or regional high-demand fields.
Requirements:
- Graduate from high school in Arkansas or be a resident for the last 3 years
- Enroll in an eligible program
Missouri
A+ Scholarship Program
The A+ Scholarship Program covers tuition and general fees for eligible graduates of A+ designated high schools who attend a community college.
Requirements:
- Attend a designated A+ high school for 2 years before graduation
- Have a 2.0 GPA
- Have at least a 95% attendance record for grades 9-12
- Perform at least 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring
- Submit the FAFSA
- Enroll in an eligible program
Montana
Montana Promise Grant
Montana offers financial aid to help reduce the cost of community college for state residents.
Requirements:
- Enroll at least half-time
- Have a GPA of 2.5
- Maintain a GPA of 2.7 in college
Nevada
Nevada Promise Scholarship
The Promise Scholarship pays for up to 3 years of tuition and other mandatory fees not covered by other gift aid for students attending any of the state’s community colleges.
Requirements:
- Graduate from high school in Nevada or a county that borders Nevada and accepts students who are residents of Nevada
- Enroll in at least 12 credits per semester
- Have not previously been awarded an Associate or Bachelor’s degree
New Jersey
New Jersey College Promise Program
This program provides tuition-free education at community colleges for students with household incomes under a certain threshold.
Requirements:
- Have an Adjusted Gross Income between $0 – $100,000
- Submit the FAFSA
- Enroll in at least 6 credits per semester
West Virginia
West Virginia Invests Grant
The WV Invests Grant Program covers tuition and mandatory fees for certificate or Associate degree programs in high-demand fields at community colleges.
Requirements:
- Enroll in any state Community and Technical College in an in-demand field
- Submit the FAFSA
- Register for at least 6 credits
- Take a drug screening
- Live in West Virginia for at least two years after graduating from college
Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s Promise
The Promise program provides tuition assistance to eligible students who meet academic and conduct requirements while in high school.
Requirements:
- Complete the FAFSA
- Have a family income of $100,000 or less
- Enroll in college within 3 years after high school graduation
North Carolina
The Next NC Scholarship
This scholarship offers financial aid to help cover the cost of community college for eligible students.
Requirements:
- Be from a family making $80,000 or less
- Enroll in one of the 58 community colleges in NC
- Take at least 6 credits per semester
- Submit the FAFSA
South Carolina
South Carolina Workforce Scholarships for the Future
The SC Workforce Scholarships for the Future cover up to $5,000 of education expenses for eligible students.
Requirements:
- Have a GPA of at least 2.0
- Complete one of the following:
- Be employed
- Take a financial literacy course offered at the technical college
- Complete 100 hours of voluntary time contributing to a nonprofit or public service organization
Vermont
Free tuition at CCV
The state offers students with a certain family income the opportunity to attend the Community College of Vermont tuition-free.
Requirements:
- Have a family income of $75,000 or less
- Submit the FAFSA
Wyoming
Hathaway Scholarship
Wyoming offers the Hathaway Scholarship Program, which provides financial aid to residents attending community colleges and the University of Wyoming.
Requirements:
- Graduate high school with a GPA of at least 2.5
- Maintain a GPA of 2.25 scores and meet certain class requirements throughout high school
Conclusion
Community colleges offer various programs and opportunities for students. While community college is not entirely free, several states have implemented tuition-free programs to help eliminate the financial barriers that many students face.
These initiatives provide a pathway to higher education for those who might not otherwise afford it. As more states create similar programs, the dream of tuition-free community college becomes real.