North Shore Community College Launching 'Free College' Program

DANVERS, MA – North Shore Community College will begin offering a self-funded "free college" program this fall for 100 eligible incoming students.

The pilot program will be the first of its kind in the Northeast, and will seek students whose incomes are too high for full federal and state grant aid, but can't pay out of pocket, or are too risk-adverse to utilize student loans, according to a statement from NSCC.

The statement noted that enrollment data suggests that there's a population of potential students who don't believe they can afford college. NSCC's annual tuition and fees for a full-time student are $6,060.

"We anticipate that most of those who will take advantage of this offer will be first generation college goers likely to come from more disadvantaged North Shore neighborhoods. These are the folks who are having the most difficulty affording the cost of a college degree, yet they compose the largest untapped pool of undeveloped talent for those future high and middle skilled jobs," said NSCC President Patricia A. Gentile.

Applications for the North Shore Promise Award are currently being accepted for the pilot on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students need to apply for the program and a FAFSA by May 1 to be eligible for the best financial aid package.

"Commonwealth residents are opting out of pursuing post-secondary education and training as the sticker shock of a college degree and pervasive stories of crippling student debt have many questioning the return on college investment," said Gentile. "This is especially true for lower and middle income families who are rapidly being priced out of the college-going market. And, this is especially bad news for area employers competing for skilled and credentialed workers."

To be eligible for the North Shore Promise award, potential students must: enroll as a new student in at least 15 credits, in an eligible Commonwealth Commitment Pathway or an eligible NSCC program for the fall 2017 semester; be a Massachusetts resident prior to September 1, 2016; have a 2.3 high school GPA at time of application or Accuplacer placement at or near college level; file a 2017-18 FAFSA prior to May 1, 2017; be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, as determined by the Federal Government and confirmed by NSCC, with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) between $3,800 – $5,328; be willing to complete a degree at NSCC in 2.5 years or 5 continuous semesters; and meet NSCC’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements throughout enrollment in the North Shore Promise Award.

For more information visit the NSCC website.

Image via NSCC