Governor Healey Announces MassReconnect Program at Bunker Hill Community College

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Would provide free community college to Mass. residents aged 25 and up with no previous degree 

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced the inclusion of the MassReconnect program in her administration’s budget proposal on Wednesday. The program, which would provide free community college and cover tuition, fees and some educational expenses to Massachusetts residents age 25 and older with no previous college degree, was announced in a press conference held at Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC).  

Healey, alongside Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao, Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwieler, and BHCC President Pam Eddinger, said that MassReconnect will provide the workforce lift necessary to keep Massachusetts competitive and equitable. “Workforce shortages have impacted nearly all sectors of our economy, but we have an incredible opportunity before us to train the next generation of workers and increase opportunities for all,” Healey said. “More students than ever before will be able to advance or complete their educations and set themselves up for a successful career in in-demand industries like health care, engineering, advanced manufacturing, and tech.” 

There are an estimated 1.8 million Massachusetts residents eligible for the MassReconnect program—some 700,000 of whom have already earned some college credit.  

Said BHCC President Eddinger: “The MassReconnect Program will be a gamechanger for community colleges and hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents.” 

The governor’s proposal must navigate the budget process in the Massachusetts State Legislature before it can be signed into law.