LYNN — Nearly a year since the legislature and Gov. Maura Healey passed MassReconnect, a program that allows those 25 and older who do not have college degrees to attend and enroll in community colleges across the state without paying tuition and fees, it has certainly made its mark on North Shore Community College.
NSCC reported a 10% increase in enrollment from the 2022-23 academic year, which was before the passage of MassReconnect, to the 2023-24 academic year. According to the school, 572 students enrolled at NSCC through the MassReconnect program during the 2023-24 academic year. The school also reported that 240 students who are part of the program are enrolled for the 2024 summer semester.
“There was an absolute jump,” NSCC Dean of Enrollment Services Jason Marsala said.
So far, 56 students who were enrolled through MassReconnect have graduated, the school reported.
“One of the great things about the program is that it is targeted at a group of folks who either started their education and stopped or never saw education as an option,” Marsala said.
He added that there are a lot of concerns that people older than 25 have about obtaining a college degree, such as the cost of child care, splitting time between work and classes, and their academic preparation.
“I think (the program) really lets folks take the jump and take the leap and decide to say, ‘Maybe now is the time for me,’” Marsala added.
He said that when MassReconnect was implemented, the enrollment office redeveloped a more “holistic” and targeted enrollment strategy.
“We don’t want these folks to come in here and not be successful,” Marsala said.
He said, for example, the office is hosting more information sessions at night because MassReconnect is designed for people who typically have full-time jobs.
During open houses, the office also hosts separate sessions for prospective students to learn about MassReconnect and receive assistance with filling out their applications and applying for financial aid, Marsala added.
He said the implementation of the program has also allowed the school to rethink its programming and course offerings.
Marsala added that a lot of the students who are enrolled through MassReconnect are English language learners, especially on the Lynn campus. As a result, he said the school has begun to offer more English as a Second Language courses.
The college has also begun to offer more courses during the night to accommodate students who are busy during the day.
“It really has forced us to rethink how we offer certain courses that students may be looking for,” Marsala said.
As far as working with students to apply for MassReconnect itself, Marsala said it has been “reinvigorating” for him and his staff at the admissions office.
“Having students come up to us and saying things like, ‘You know, you have no idea how life-changing this will be for me and my family,’ it makes me realize why I went into this work,” he said. “I wanted to make sure that everyone has access to a quality education. And this program has really, really helped a lot of folks out, and hopefully will continue to going forward.”
A press release from Healey’s office reported that her proposed fiscal year 2025 budget included $24 million in funding for MassReconnect, a 20% increase from FY24.
