Tuition-Free Community College Programs - Student Research Foundation

U.S. News Provides Details on Tuition-Free Community College Programs

“These States Offer Tuition-Free College Programs,” an article that Farran Powell published in U.S. News & World Report on February 1, offers some current information about state-administered programs that offer free or partial tuition to community college students. You’ll want to read Ms. Powell’s very useful article, but we are summarizing the programs it describes in today’s post.

Note that most states only offer free tuition to students who have resided in them for a minimum of two years. But if you meet that requirement, here are some programs for you to consider:

Arkansas ArFuture – Students must complete 15 hours of community service during every term they are enrolled.
California Promise – Students who are enrolled full-time in a community college can receive a waiver for one year of free tuition.
Delaware Student Excellence Equals Degree (SEED) – Available to students at four Delaware community colleges.
Kentucky Work Ready Scholarship – Pays for 32 credit hours. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher while enrolled.
Minnesota MnSCU Two-Year Occupational Grant Pilot Program – Students must major in accounting, nursing or another approved field of study.
Montana Promise Grant – Students must have earned at least a 2.5 GPA in high school.
Nevada Scholarship Program – Students must complete 20 hours of community service while attending a community college.
New York Excelsior Scholarship – In 2017, this free-tuition scholarship was available to students whose families earned $100,000 or less. Students must live and work in New York State after graduating.
Oregon Promise – For students who earned a 2.5 GPA or higher in high school, and whose families can only contribute $20,000 or less to college expenses.
Rhode Island Promise – Students must be enrolled full-time in a state community college and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA.
Tennessee Promise – Students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA and complete eight hours of community service in every term while they are enrolled.

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