Quincy College is making higher education more accessible than ever before with the launch of our Free College Program. This initiative, one of the state’s most impressive endeavors to date, removes one of the biggest roadblocks preventing students from pursuing a college education: the cost. By cutting out the financial burdens of tuition, fees, books, and supplies, Free College not only makes college a realistic option; it also opens up eligible students to a whole new world of possibility.

So, if you think you’d be a fit for the Free College Program, there’s no better place to start than right here at Quincy College.

Read along as we take you through the entire Free College application and enrollment process, start to finish. We’ll also get you acquainted with our helpful on-campus resources, which you can use to design the most optimal educational path based on your exact needs and interests.

Let’s get started!

Free College Application Process: A How-To Guide

Before making any big decision—like applying for college—you need to prepare yourself with as much information as possible, starting with the basics.

Step 1: Research - Ask yourself the following questions:

What are my career goals?

Are you interested in pursuing a job in healthcare? What about computer programming? Maybe it’s early childhood education you’d like to get into? By pinpointing your specific career objectives, you’ll be able to identify which academic programs can give you the right tools and training to achieve professionally.

What schools participate in the Free College program?

Of course, you’ll need to know which schools offer the Free College program. Fun fact: just about every community college in Massachusetts supports the initiative, including us. So long as the school is an independent, accredited community college or public institution that offers either an associate’s degree or certificate program, it’s a Free College participant. Still, you’ll want to confirm which schools are eligible, which you can do here.

Am I able to commit time to pursuing a degree through Free College?

Right after cost, time and accessibility subsequently rank as impeding factors when it comes to pursuing a college degree. Hence, you’ll need to decide how much time you can actually commit to your Free College academic program. Taking into consideration your other commitments, like work and family, nail down a realistic amount of time you’re willing to dedicate. Again, this will help you narrow down your school and program choices and make the Free College application process much more efficient.

Am I even eligible to receive Free College benefits?

There are several key requisites to determine whether you’re eligible to enroll in the Free College program.

Free College is available to students who:

  • Are 25 years or older by the anticipated start of classes
  • Are legal Massachusetts residents for at least one year prior to anticipated start of classes
  • Have earned a high school diploma or equivalent, but have not previously completed a postsecondary degree
  • Are planning to enroll in 6 or more credits toward an associate degree or certificate program at college of choice
  • Have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Academic Advising Resources at Quincy College

Once you’ve completed your fact-finding mission, narrowed down your career goals, and confirmed eligibility for Free College, your next move is to contact our Academic Advising Office. There, you’ll find a team of dedicated staff members who can help further your exploration of educational and/or career objectives, craft a personalized, coherent academic plan based on your interests and values, and ensure you succeed, both in the classroom and in practice. We recommend you make an appointment in advance, which you can do by emailing advising@quincycollege.edu or by calling (617) 984-1720.

Step 2: Request Financial Aid

Ok, you’ve narrowed down your career goals and educational objectives, and you’ve also confirmed Free College eligibility through our Academic Advising Office. The next step is to request financial aid.

But first, let’s back-track for a second. Remember, the Free College eligibility criteria we just covered? It mentions filling out a FAFSA form as a prerequisite to the program. That’s because your completed FAFSA form is the official living record used to calculate the amount of financial aid you’ll receive. Now, don’t worry if that number totals less than the anticipated cost of your degree program. Whatever federal student aid doesn’t cover, your Free College benefits pick up the balance, ensuring your education is fully funded.

Financial Aid Resources at Quincy College

College financing is stressful, to say the least. But at Quincy College, our Financial Aid team is always on hand to help make the process as smooth and painless as possible. Our financial aid advisors can walk you through the FAFSA form, top to bottom, all while providing expert counsel and answering any questions you might have along the way.

For personalized one-on-one assistance with your FAFSA form, make sure to schedule a meeting with our Financial Aid Office. They’ll be able to give you a detailed explanation of how Free College works in conjunction with your financial aid benefits to ensure you a more affordable college experience. To make an appointment, simply email financialaid@quincycollege.edu or call (617) 984-1620.

Step 3: Apply to Your Free College School of Choice

After completing steps one and two, you’re now free to apply to your participating Free College school of choice. We hope Quincy College is at the top of that list!

However, if you still feel you need additional information to decide whether we’re the right school for you, we have plenty of resources for you to access.

Application Resources at Quincy College

Like the old saying goes, “Measure twice, cut once.” You want to make sure every last concern of yours is addressed before taking the plunge and submitting a Free College college application. We can help you with that in two ways. One, you can attend an information session, where you’ll get an in-depth rundown of our academic programs, including Physical Therapy Assistant, Medical Laboratory Technology, Surgical Technology, Radiologic Technology, Phlebotomy, and Nursing. You’ll also get a comprehensive overview of the many professional opportunities available through Quincy College, like our Workforce Development and Internship programs.

Two, you can double check with our Admissions Office to confirm you meet all application requirements. This includes submitting official transcripts from your high school, HiSET/GED, or any college you’ve previously attended. If you need help getting all your transcripts squared away, our Admissions staff has you covered. They’ll assist you in obtaining and submitting documents as needed.

Once you feel you’re in a good place and all your questions have been answered, go ahead and submit that application!

Stage 4: Enroll in Classes

Congratulations! You’ve completed your Free College application and you’re ready to embark on your academic journey. Now, it’s time to register for classes, ones that align with your particular program of study. You can do that with the help of our academic advisors, who will assist you in creating a curriculum tailored to your exact academic interests, career goals, and availability.

Enrollment Resources at Quincy College

When you’re finally ready to click that “enroll” button, head on over to our Registrar’s Office. Whether in person or online, our Registrar specialists are always available to help you avoid potential entanglements in the enrollment process, all while providing first-class administrative assistance for students, faculty, and staff alike. You can drop by the office, located at the Quincy campus Welcome Center, or call (617) 984-1650 to speak with one of our Registrar team members.

Free College Starts Here

The Free College program at Quincy College is a game-changer for adult learners all across Massachusetts, making higher education much more affordable and accessible than ever before. By covering tuition, fees, and other associated costs, Free College eliminates the financial burden of higher education while allowing motivated individuals to fulfill their academic and career goals.

At Quincy College, we’re committed to supporting every student’s academic journey, from the moment they first arrive on campus to the moment they walk across the graduation stage. Our dedicated staff is here every step of the way to help make your educational dreams come true.

Curious about Quincy College’s academic programs and areas of study? Download our 2024-2025 College Catalog to explore opportunities for a brighter future. Free College starts here!