The allure of an associate’s degree program lies not just in its affordability, but also in the career potential it offers hard-working students with dreams of professional success. These programs provide a gateway toward a rewarding career in a top-hiring field, and students additionally benefit from the significantly reduced cost of earning the degree itself.
But it’s more than the money. Free associate’s degree programs offer a streamlined, economical option to enter the workforce sooner with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel.
So, if you’re exploring options for an affordable associate’s degree program, look no further than Quincy College! We’ll cover everything you need to know about our available programs, eligibility requirements, and the application steps to get you started.
Free Associate’s Degrees from Quincy College
If your college journey has been delayed due to financial strain, a life event, or any other unfortunate obstacle, Quincy College offers you the chance to get back on track with an affordable, accessible associate degree program tailored to your exact professional interests. And it’s all available through our Free College initiative.
In partnership with the Department of Higher Education and Quincy College, our Free College program makes higher education a more affordable endeavor for students across the Commonwealth. Through a combination of state and federal funding, Free College allows eligible students to enroll in an associate’s degree program here at Quincy College, free of charge, making the academic journey a more rewarding, less costly experience.
Financial support from Free College covers the cost of tuition, fees, books, and supplies, though the allotment for books and supplies vary depending on several factors, including students’ total number of registered credits and the information disclosed in their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). But we’ll get to that in a few.
For now, let’s move onto eligibility.
Check Free College Eligibility
Are you eligible to receive a free associate’s degree from Quincy College? Here are the general requirements to enroll:
- You must be 25 or older by the first day of scheduled classes.
- You must physically reside in Massachusetts for at least one year prior to the start of your enrolled term, with an intent to remain in Massachusetts throughout the remainder of your studies.
- You need to have earned your high school diploma (or equivalent), per Massachusetts tuition equity law.
- You must either be a U.S. Citizen, permanent legal resident, or non-citizen eligible under Title IV regulations.
- You have not previously received an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited two-year or four-year college institution.
- You must enroll in at least six credits per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate’s degree or certificate.
Most importantly…
- You need to complete the 24-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Knock this one off your list right away, as the information disclosed in your FAFSA form will determine the amount of additional allowance you’ll receive to cover the cost of books and supplies.
Free College Curriculum Curated to Top Career Picks
At Quincy College, our associate’s degree programs aren’t limited to a narrow field of study. In fact, they span various high-demand sectors, including healthcare and STEM. These fields constantly seek the talents of skilled professionals, which is why an associate’s degree program provides the ideal path for our students. Each set of curriculum is designed to not only equip them with the right skills and expertise; they’re also crafted with the needs of today’s employers in mind.
For instance, the healthcare sector has a wealth of opportunities available to individuals with associate’s degrees. These jobs include, but are not limited to:
- Dental hygiene
- Diagnostic medical sonography
- Occupational therapy assisting
- Physical therapy assisting
- Respiratory therapy
Experts predict these fields will see significant job growth over the next decade, which goes to show the critical importance of our associate degree programs. There’s a demand for educated professionals, and our program curriculum can help provide that talent.
Most In-Demand Fields for Associate’s Degree Earners
Healthcare and STEM rank as the most in-demand fields among today’s associate degree earners. Here’s why.
STEM Careers
STEM careers have been experiencing unprecedented growth, due to increasing reliance on technology and innovation across industries. Fields like cybersecurity are particularly in demand, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a 33% leap in job growth for information security analysts by 2033, a number that far outpaces average job growth among all other occupations. Moreover, as digital threats continue to evolve, businesses, governments, and organizations have been investing heavily in secure networking systems, driving the need for skilled professionals in areas like ethical hacking and digital forensics.
Quincy College’s associate’s degree curriculum in cybersecurity is designed to meet this industry demand, providing students with both foundational knowledge and practical, hands-on experience. In the classroom, students will learn key skills like conducting security assessments, mitigating cyber threats via risk management, encryption, and firewalls. Also, our students gain essential knowledge in digital forensics by investigating incidents, which help them develop a well-rounded skill companies look for in their employees.
Here are our current associate degree programs for STEM-related studies:
- Computer Science: Cybersecurity
- Computer Science: Networking
- Computer Science: Programming
Healthcare Careers
Just like careers in STEM, employment in healthcare has risen dramatically, with companies adding positions faster every month than most other labor sectors, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In May 2024 alone, the healthcare labor industry added a whopping 68,000 jobs. That’s 25% of the 272,000 job gains reported that month. These roles, including nurses, specialists, and physical therapists (among many others), consistently rank among the top three sectors for total jobs added to the economy since April of 2023, and the trend is expected to continue.
At Quincy College, we have a wealth of healthcare-focused curriculum tailored not only to the interests of our students, but also to the needs of today’s healthcare employers. Our programs are all based on sound educational principles and delivered through active learning environments, which encourages individuals to succeed far beyond the classroom.
Here are our current associate’s degree programs for healthcare-related studies:
- Biology
- Biotechnology & Good Manufacturing Practice
- Exercise Science & Personal Training
- Health Sciences
- Healthcare Administration
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Nursing
- Physical Therapy
- Radiologic Technology
- Surgical Technology
How to Apply for a Free Associate’s Degree Program from Quincy College
If you meet the eligibility requirements for Free College listed above, all it takes is two simple steps to get your enrollment started.
Step 1 - Update Your FAFSA
Complete a new FAFSA form (or update your existing one) so that it aligns with your intended semesters of study. For example, if you plan to start classes at Quincy College at the start of the 2024 Fall semester, you’ll need to fill out a 2024-2025 FAFSA form. You’ll also need the Quincy College school code: 002205
Step 2 - Contact Admissions
Next, get in touch with our Admissions office for help in applying, enrolling, re-enrolling, or transferring credits to Quincy College.
Affordable, Accessible Associate’s Degrees at Quincy College
Free associate’s degree programs offer an invaluable opportunity for individuals to advance their education without the financial burden of tuition fees. These programs, which span various high-demand fields, provide a streamlined path to rewarding careers of all kinds. And with the help of Free College, the dream of a debt-free educational experience is more attainable than ever before.
Want to learn more about Free College or any one of our degree or certificate programs? Sign up for a helpful information session. You can attend either in person and online, whichever is most convenient for you.