Students eligible for the new Free Community College program recently authorized by Governor Maura Healey will still need other forms of assistance to succeed at a community college.
It’s important to know that there are a lot of reasons why our Cape Cod students still need help from us at ACCE to afford an education. Some of our students will not be eligible for the new free tuition. Some will need help from ACCE to meet expenses of their education not covered by the new program. Some will need to interrupt their education to work, at which point they have to repay the state. And all of our students will benefit from the one thing the new state program cannot offer — mentoring. ACCE stays with a student for her entire time at the community college, guiding and advising to help them succeed.
Advocates for a Community College Education, Inc. (ACCE) will continue to provide that assistance in the form of mentoring and scholarships for our Cape Cod students.
Free Community College means the state contribution is last dollar in, available only after a student has filled out a federal college aid form (FAFSA) and has exhausted available state and federal grants, as well as other scholarship funds. ACCE students will still need our help because our scholarships are first dollars in. Our scholarship is placed in the student’s account at 4Cs, not given directly to the student. Our scholarship stays with the students during their tenure at Cape Cod Community College. The state free offer is in this year’s budget and not guaranteed to be in future years’ budgets.
With the continuing support of volunteers and donors, who have been generous with their time and money, ACCE will be able to provide for the development of successful members of our community.
ACCE has awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships to date and now is a fully independent 501-C3 nonprofit. We appreciate your generous support.