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Tuition-Free Community College
College is too important to be limited to those who can afford it. That's why the Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) Plan is piloting a partnership with Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) to help Pell-eligible students transfer for free.
The program will cover tuition, fees, and mandatory supplies for students transferring from a Massachusetts community college to a bachelor’s degree program at MassArt. TFCC covers 3 years of funding at MassArt. We strongly recommend meeting with a counselor to help you plan ahead and prepare to graduate within three years after transferring.
Virtual Information Session
Learn more about the Tuition-Free Community College Plan during a virtual information session on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 4 p.m. EST.
Register
BENEFITS OF TFCC
The following costs are covered for most TFCC students:
Tuition and mandatory fees remaining after financial aid has been applied.
$250 each semester for up to three years of college-related expenses such as books or transportation.
Debt of up to $2,500 for students with an outstanding balance at a partner college that is preventing a student from re-enrolling at that college. TFCC provides funding for up to three years, including summer semester.
Who is eligible?
Be a Boston resident at the time of enrollment (see eligible zip codes below)
Enroll as a full-time student at MassArt
Transfer from a partner college:
Have completed 30 credits from a partner community college
Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
Complete the FAFSA and be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant
| Zip Code | Neighborhood |
| 02108 | Beacon Hill/Downtown |
| 02109 | Financial District/North End |
| 02110 | Financial District |
| 02111 | Chinatown and Surrounding Areas |
| 02113 | North End |
| 02114 | Beacon Hill/West End |
| 02115 | Fenway |
| 02116 | Back Bay |
| 02118 | South End |
| 02119 | Roxbury |
| 02120 | Mission Hill |
| 02121 | Roxbury |
| 02122 | Dorchester |
| 02124 | Dorchester |
| 02125 | Dorchester |
| 02126 | Mattapan |
| 02127 | South Boston |
| 02128 | East Boston |
| 02129 | Charlestown |
| 02130 | Jamaica Plain |
| 02131 | Roslindale |
| 02132 | West Roxbury |
| 02134 | Allston |
| 02135 | Brighton |
| 02136 | Hyde Park |
| 02163 | Allston |
| 02199 | Prudential Center |
| 02203 | Government Center |
| 02210 | South Boston/Waterfront |
| 02215 | Fenway/Kenmore |
| *02467 | Boston/Other |
*02467 includes portions of both Boston and Chestnut Hill
How does TFCC relate to the Boston Bridge?
Boston Bridge is the partnership between the Tuition Free Community College Plan (TFCC) and the State’s Commonwealth Commitment program that allows eligible students to earn a bachelor’s degree free of tuition and mandatory fees.
The Boston Bridge combines the benefits of the Tuition-Free Community College Plan with the benefits of Commonwealth Commitment. Commonwealth Commitment is a state plan that makes the continuation to four-year college more affordable. Through the Boston Bridge, you can attend one of TFCC’s participating community colleges and then transfer to one of Massachusetts’ four-year state schools to finish your bachelor’s degree at no cost.
Applying to Transfer to MassArt
Students interested in the TFCC plan should apply to MassArt by the priority deadline of March 1, 2024 for Fall 2024 enrollment. The application will be available starting in September; please check back. Learn more about transfer application requirements.
Questions?
Contact Shannon Gallagher, Assistant Director of Transfer Admissions, at sagallagher@massart.edu
To learn more about the Tuition Free Community College Plan, visit boston.gov/tuition-free.