Massachusetts has expanded its community college tuition-free program to cover all students this fall, but don't expect Rhode Island to follow suit anytime soon.
State officials are noncommittal on whether the Ocean State should expand its Rhode Island Promise scholarship program, which covers the tuition costs at the Community College of Rhode Island only for students who meet certain criteria.
But some observers say when addressing the affordability and accessibility of higher education and workforce development, Rhode Island should also consider the changing student demographics and needs – an area where Rhode Island Promise arguably lags.
Since 2017, Rhode Island has offered Rhode Island Promise through CCRI, but the program, which became permanent in 2021, limits eligibility to students age 18 or younger who enroll directly after graduating high school or completing a GED. Students graduating at ages 19-21 also have an opportunity to appeal to receive the scholarship.
In addition, in 2023, $5 million was allocated for the Fresh Start Scholarship program, which provides up to two semesters of tuition-free enrollment at CCRI for state residents who were previously enrolled in a degree program but stopped attending at some point.
The new MassEducate program, meanwhile, extends free community college tuition to residents of all ages, so long as they have earned a high school diploma or equivalent and have lived in Massachusetts for at least a year. In both states, students must also meet minimum credit and academic requirements.
CCRI didn't make anyone immediately available to answer questions about the changes in Massachusetts and its potential effects on higher education in Rhode Island, but the school indicated it is open to backing an expanded tuition-free program.
"From our perspective, anything that expands access to education is a good investment," said a CCRI statement. "CCRI saw a robust response from the $5 million invested in the Fresh Start program. The response affirms that when these types of programs are available, people will come and finish their degrees and be better qualified to support the evolving workforce.
But when reached for comment by Providence Business News, state officials didn’t express an immediate interest in matching Massachusetts' move at its community college, although some say they’re willing to consider it.
Greg Pare, spokesperson for Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, said Ruggerio “has long supported programs that improve access to higher education,” including the law that made the Rhode Island Promise permanent.
“Should legislation be proposed in the 2025 session to further expand Rhode Island Promise, it will be thoroughly reviewed so that all benefits and ramifications are fully understood, including weighing fiscal impacts as well as how we compare with neighboring states,” Pare said.
House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, meanwhile, indicated he's keeping an open mind. "If CCRI is interested in expanding eligibility for the Rhode Island Promise program, he would be willing to listen to the issues raised by CCRI and potentially have legislation introduced in the 2025 legislative session,” said Shekarchi spokesperson Larry Berman.
Olivia Darocha, a spokesperson for Gov. Daniel J. McKee, also noted the governor’s support for making the Rhode Island Promise program permanent, and said that McKee “looks forward to exploring options in the future with leaders to ensure all Rhode Islanders have the ability to earn a college degree.”
Rep. Joseph M. McNamara, D-Warwick, who chairs the House Education Committee, took a stronger stand for keeping Rhode Island Promise as is, stating that the program already offers sufficient opportunities — particularly when paired with Rhode Island College’s Hope Scholarship, which provides continued financial assistance for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
But McNamara says he remains open to minor adjustments that would allow students to take a gap year before going to college.
“But that could be as simple as applying and deferring that year,” McNamara said. “It could be more administrative.”
Additionally, other Rhode Island institutions offer financial resources for learners who want to pursue a degree after their late teens or early 20s, McNamara says.
One such institution, Roger Williams University’s University College, attempts to lower financial barriers by allowing students to take classes at a rate of $250-$450 per credit, says Gena Bianco, dean of RWU’s University College.
Located in Providence, the University College offers programming designed with flexibility and a broad range of students in mind, including those who attend college part-time amid other work or family obligations — and some who don’t meet Rhode Island Promise criteria.
Reaching these students remains essential in bolstering the state’s workforce, Bianco says.
“I think we’re all trying to be tuition-conscious,” Bianco said, and Rhode Island Promise “has done great work.
“I think we’re all looking at it from the correct lens,” she continued. “It’s just that students in Rhode Island don’t have a lot of choices.”
And while both Rhode Island and Massachusetts’ tuition-free community college programs are limited to state residents, “Rhode Island students don’t have to choose Rhode Island schools” when looking beyond these programs for financial assistance.
PBN Special Projects Editor James Bessette also contributed to this report.
