Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Community college students in Connecticut will see tuition-free college this fall. However, there is currently only enough funding for the fall semester.
The Connecticut state legislature approved the Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT)—a free community college program—in 2019, but they did not provide funding in that year. Now, the Connecticut Board of Regents of Higher Education has allocated $3 million to fund PACT for the fall semester. The state would need to allocate additional money in order for the program to continue.
“The Board of Regents’ action today is an important, albeit temporary, step to get the tuition and fee-free community college program up and running for the fall semester,” said David Levinson, Interim President of Connecticut State Community College, in a press release. “We look forward to working with our legislative partners to find a permanent solution – and in the meantime, we encourage folks to apply to the community college nearest them.”
Students should note that PACT has some eligibility requirements. Students hoping to benefit should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply and register for school by July 15, 2020 for priority consideration.
Connecticut joins a growing list of states enacting “free college.” At least 15 states currently have some kind of tuition-free college program. Some of those programs are limited to community colleges, while other states extend it to public four-year colleges.
PACT operates as a last-dollar program. “Last-dollar” means that state dollars cover the difference between federal and state grants and the tuition and fees a student pays (not including housing). For example, if tuition and mandatory fees totaled $5,000 and a student received a Pell Grant and state aid totaling $3,000, PACT would cover the remaining $2,000. For a student with grants totaling $1,000, PACT would provide $4,000.
Other states have first-dollar programs. That means that they cover tuition before all other grants and scholarships. Students could then use their Pell Grants for other costs, like living expenses and books. First-dollar programs are more generous, but also more costly.
States also vary in the eligibility requirements they place on students. For example, some states require students to attend full time, while others allow both full- and part-time students. New York made waves when they announced their plan requiring students to stay in-state after they graduated, though that is not a typical requirement.
Connecticut’s short-term investment is one that will benefit a number of students this fall. However, students can’t get a degree in one semester. You can expect students to ramp up their advocacy for lawmakers to extend the funding for the spring semester and for the years to come.
Related Readings:
What New Mexico Gets Wrong About Free College
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer Announces Free College For Frontline Coronavirus Workers
