How to apply for Boston's tuition-free community college program?

I've heard about a tuition-free initiative for Boston community colleges. Can someone explain how to apply for it and what the requirements are? I'm really interested in taking advantage of this opportunity.

Absolutely! The initiative you're referring to is likely the Tuition-Free Community College Plan (TFCCP), which is offered by the City of Boston. Specifically, this plan assists with the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for up to three years at participating community colleges.

Here's a high-level breakdown on how to apply:

1. Apply to a Participating Community College: The first step is to apply for enrollment at a participating community college. As of my knowledge, the participating schools are Bunker Hill Community College, Roxbury Community College, Franklin Cummings Tech, Urban College, and MassBay Community College. Consult with each college's admissions page to understand how to apply to them.

2. File FAFSA: Make sure to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You need to fill out and submit this as part of the financial aid process at your chosen community college.

3. Apply for Boston's Tuition-Free Community College Plan (TFCCP): Upon acceptance to one of the participating community colleges, you can apply for the TFCCP through the City of Boston's official website. The application typically involves providing some personal and academic information.

As for the requirements, here are some key ones:

- Boston Residency: You need to be a resident of the City of Boston.

- High School Completion: You must have completed high school or earned your GED within the past year.

- Income Requirement: Your household income must fall within certain thresholds. For instance, you may be eligible if you're from a family of four and your household income is below $60,000.

- Enrolled in Certain Programs: You must be enrolled in one of the approved programs of study. You can find this list on the community college's website or the Boston's TFCCP page.

Remember to connect with the financial aid office at your chosen community college and the City of Boston's official TFCCP page to confirm accurate and up-to-date information. Good luck!