Free community college comes to Massachusetts. What took so long?

Klevans Lehens says he’s living proof that it’s never too late to go back to school.

Mr. Lehens, who is 45 years old and an EMT from Boston, opted to join the workforce to provide for his son instead of pursuing a degree. For the past two years, he’s been taking classes at Roxbury Community College.

Why We Wrote This

A story focused on

While the story of higher education has been one of ever-climbing costs, a sea change has been spreading at U.S. community colleges. When Massachusetts went tuition-free this fall, it wasn’t the first, or fifth, or even 15th state to do so.

He believes that making tuition free offers a second chance. “It’s a blessing for those who actually want to follow their dream. For me, it’s a sign I’m on the right path,” says Mr. Lehens.

This fall, Massachusetts is widening the halls of higher education. For the first time, all residents with a high school diploma can attend one of its 15 community colleges for free. Since Tennessee first pioneered tuition-free community college for all in 2017, it has spread rapidly. The reason: Economists say investing in public higher education yields better economic and social results than other types of workforce investments.

Mr. Lehens says he and his son are now attending college at the same time.

“That’s the beauty of life,” he says in the courtyard at Roxbury Community College. “You’re not always going to get it the first time, but you can always try again.”

Cambridge resident Tyrie Daniel was almost at the finish line when he dropped out of Bunker Hill Community College in 2015.

He just needed 16 more credits to transfer to a four-year school. But life just came hard. His family was scammed, he says, and their Social Security numbers were stolen.

“When your stomach keeps growling and you have nothing in your fridge, you can’t even focus on school,” says Mr. Daniel, who is 33 years old. His family was struggling to pay bills at home and provide for their household of six. 

Why We Wrote This

A story focused on

While the story of higher education has been one of ever-climbing costs, a sea change has been spreading at U.S. community colleges. When Massachusetts went tuition-free this fall, it wasn’t the first, or fifth, or even 15th state to do so.

The family needed an extra hand. And at the time, he says, “the extra hand was me. So I had to choose between school or food on the table.”

With five classes to go, he dropped out. He worked as a cleaner, in his family’s spice business, and in real estate. More than thrice, he contemplated returning to school. But he couldn’t reenroll until his overdue fees were paid.

Now, Mr. Daniel is back at Bunker Hill. This time, he is debt-free and his tuition is covered by MassReconnect. The program, which started in 2023, made community college tuition free for Massachusetts residents over 25 who don’t have a degree. Mr. Daniel says he feels both enormous relief and a new motivation to succeed.

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