There is no national edict for free community college tuition, but several states have begun offering programs that allow qualifying students to attend community college free of cost.
Enrollment in higher education is not considered a universal right, but many states are still trying to make college education free to qualifying state residents. Multiple states have begun offering full tuition waivers for community college students.
Each state has differing programs and opportunities available to high school graduates or people who have completed an equivalent program, like a GED. Regardless of eligibility requirements, these programs allow students to earn an associate degree or prepare for transfer to a four-year college without incurring large debt.
What Is a Community College?
A community college is a higher education institute specializing in two-year associate degree programs and general education courses that are prerequisites for four-year bachelor's degrees. These schools often have lower attendance costs than universities, making them affordable ways to earn credit hours that can be brought to another school.
Community colleges cater to part-time students, many of whom work while attending. There are full-time students, but many college programs are designed to work around other schedules. Outside of two-year degree programs community colleges often serve as technical colleges teaching trade-related skills. These certificate programs can result in credentials for careers that don't require degrees.
In addition to degrees and certificates, community colleges allow high school students to earn college credit as they earn their high school diploma. These programs allow students to complete credits that will speed up their degree programs at universities, which can also reduce their financial aid burdens.
<h2 id="section---Top10StatesWithFreeCommunityColleges">Top 10 States With Free Community Colleges</h2><p>There is no national free tuition program at community colleges, but several state community colleges offer programs that waive the cost of tuition for qualifying students. Most states that offer these programs have unique eligibility requirements and benefits.
</p><h3 id="section---Arkansas">Arkansas</h3><p>Arkansas offers in-state high school or home school graduates or GED holders a last-dollar scholarship. This program covers any gap between scholarships and grant programs and total tuition costs. Students must have been Arkansas residents for at least three years before applying for this program.
</p><h3 id="section---California">California</h3><p>California has two programs designed to help students attend community college. First is the California Promise program, which gives schools funding and the discretion to apply these funds. Schools use these funds to provide tuition waivers for first-time, full-time students, although the money can be used for other programs supporting students. The other program is the California College Promise Grant which waives enrollment fees for low-income students. Students must be residents of California for a full calendar year and eligible for the Pell Grant to qualify for this program.
</p><h3 id="section---Georgia">Georgia</h3><p>Georgia has two different grant programs to help community college students, the Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) Grant and the Zell Miller Grant. To qualify for these programs, students must meet ongoing criteria, like a minimum college GPA and adhering to drug-free policies. The Zell Miller grant provides a reimbursement payment after a full school year of meeting minimum standards and can only be applied to certain schools.
</p><h3 id="section---Hawaii">Hawaii</h3><p>The Hawaii Promise program is a last-dollar scholarship that covers all qualified higher education expenses for eight semesters. This program is for tuition at the University of Hawai'i Community College. The program was intended to help native Hawaiians and other low-income students. To qualify, students must have up-to-date <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_is_the_FAFSA_Online_Application_Form.html">Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)</a> forms completed to demonstrate financial need. There are requirements about the number of credit hours per semester and how long it takes you to complete your degree program.
</p><h3 id="section---Indiana">Indiana</h3><p>The state of Indiana offers the Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant for students in qualifying programs at participating schools. The program is available to first-time students with a diploma or GED. In addition to the limited number of degree programs you can pursue and schools that accept the grant, students have differing course load requirements for dependent or independent students.
</p><h3 id="section---Kentucky">Kentucky</h3><p>The Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship has no GPA or income restrictions, but this college scholarship program caps at 60 credit hours, usually the requirement to complete an associate degree. Unlike some of the programs offered by other states, this free college tuition program can be applied to four universities, community colleges, or technical schools. This allows students to take their prerequisite courses at a university and avoid transferring like they would have to after a community college program.
</p><h3 id="section---Maine">Maine</h3><p>The Free College Scholarship for Maine residents has a single requirement: students must graduate from high school in either 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023. This program was enacted because of the COVID-19 pandemic and won't extend to students who graduate in 2024 and beyond. The program covers tuition and mandatory fees at one of seven community colleges for two years.
</p><h3 id="section---Maryland">Maryland</h3><p>The Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship that awards qualified students up to $5000. Students must apply to a participating on-campus school, preferably the closest to their residency. Additional requirements include:
</p><ul><li>income caps
</li><li>GPA requirements for high school and college
</li><li>credit minimums
</li></ul><h3 id="section---Nevada">Nevada</h3><p>The Nevada Promise program is a last-dollar scholarship for first-time students who have lived in Nevada for a full year. This program also requires students to complete community service work to give back. Students must enroll in their degree program in the academic year immediately following high school graduation or completion of their GED program and must be under 20 years old.
</p><h3 id="section---NewYork">New York</h3><p>New York offers the Excelsior Scholarship which covers up to four years of tuition at SUNY and CUNY. This scholarship has a maximum award of $5,500 per cycle. In addition to the tuition maximum, students must meet minimum credit enrollment and income requirements.
</p><p>One of the biggest differences between this program and others offered is the requirement that students must work in New York State for the same number of years that they collected the scholarship. If the student seeks employment in another state or country before fulfilling this requirement, the amount collected is converted to a loan that the student must repay.
</p><p>These are some of the most popular programs, but other states that offer community college tuition programs include:
</p><ul><li>Tennessee
</li><li>Kansas
</li><li>Delaware
</li><li>Washington
</li><li>Connecticut
</li><li>Missouri
</li><li>New Jersey
</li><li>Oregon
</li><li>Oklahoma
</li><li>Montana
</li><li>West Virginia
</li><li>Rhode Island
</li><li>Michigan
</li></ul><h2 id="section---FAQsAboutFreeCommunityCollegesInTheU.S.">FAQs About Free Community Colleges in the U.S.</h2><p>With many states already offering free community college programs, and more being established, students and their families have many questions about how to apply for these programs and what eligibility requirements these programs have.
</p><h3 id="section---DoesTheUSHaveFreeCommunityCollege">Does the US Have Free Community College?</h3><p>There is no national program that provides free community college. However, state programs like Tennessee Promise, Michigan Reconnect, and other last-dollar scholarships allow eligible students to pursue higher education without cost.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatStateHasTheCheapestCommunityCollegeTuition">What State Has The Cheapest Community College Tuition?</h3><p>Due to free community college initiatives, several states have tuition rates of $0 for qualifying students. For non-qualify students, New Mexico has some of the most affordable community college options and programs for residents to attend their state universities.
</p><h3 id="section---DoCommunityCollegesOfferBachelorSDegrees">Do Community Colleges Offer Bachelor's Degrees?</h3><p>It is uncommon, but some states allow community colleges to offer limited bachelor's degree programs. Currently, 24 states have made this exception, but only a few degree choices can be earned through a community college. Most students pursuing a bachelor's degree program must transfer to a four-year university.</p>
