You've already put meaningful time and effort into your education. If you're thinking about returning, Massachusetts colleges and universities may offer support — including free college programs, named scholarships, and flexible learning options — that helps you finish with a clearer path and fewer barriers.

Find your school below, connect with the right person, and see what support may already be available to you.

Jump to section:

• Who to contact when you're ready to enroll
• Schools offering pre-admission degree audits
• Resources for learners with a high number of credits
• What to do next

Who to contact when you're ready to enroll

Bunker Hill Community College Contact Admissions to get started.

Cape Cod Community College Contact Admissions to get started.

Fitchburg State University School of Graduate, Online, and Continuing Education (978) 665-3182 | gce@fitchburgstate.edu

Framingham State University Contact Admissions to get started.

Greenfield Community College Contact Admissions to get started.

Massachusetts Bay Community College Contact Admissions to get started.

Salem State University Carmen Amado, Director of Advising camado@salemstate.edu

UMass Dartmouth Submit an inquiry and select "Registrar" as the topic to connect with the Associate Registrar.

University of Massachusetts Boston Contact Admissions — readmission processes vary by program and are outlined in your next steps email.

Schools offering pre-admission degree audits

These schools may be able to review your credits before you formally re-enroll. Reach out to the contact listed for your school to ask about availability and eligibility.

• Fitchburg State University — contact the School of Graduate, Online, and Continuing Education at (978) 665-3182 or gce@fitchburgstate.edu
• Salem State University — available for learners who have completed General Education coursework (60+ credit hours); contact Carmen Amado at camado@salemstate.edu
• UMass Dartmouth — submit an inquiry and select "Registrar" as the topic to connect with the Associate Registrar

Resources for learners with a high number of credits

Bunker Hill Community College

Flexible programs are available including online, asynchronous, and evening courses. Availability depends on which courses you still need and what's offered each term.

Help with what you owe: Payment plans are available for current tuition. If you have an outstanding balance, contact the Outstanding Balances office to discuss your options.

How to apply or come back: The application is free. If it's been less than five years since you last attended and you plan to return to your original program, complete the Reactivation Form. If you formally withdrew or previously graduated and are pursuing a new program, submit the free readmission application.

Cape Cod Community College

Online and hybrid learning options are available. Fully online programs include Business Administration, General Studies, History, Liberal Arts, and Psychology.

Help with what you owe: Payment plans are available for current tuition.

How to apply or come back: The application is free. Submit the free application for admission.

Fitchburg State University

Five fully online degree programs are available: Bachelor's in Business Administration, Interdisciplinary Studies B.A./B.S. (with Humanities Concentration), Interdisciplinary Studies B.A./B.S., Occupational/Vocational Education B.S., and RN to B.S. in Nursing.

Help with what you owe: Payment plans are available for current tuition.

How to apply or come back: The application is free. If it's been three semesters or more since you last attended, submit the free readmission student petition. Contact the School of Graduate, Online, and Continuing Education if you'd like to review your credits before applying.

Framingham State University

Online classes and many hybrid programs are available. To explore hybrid options, go to the programs page and filter Class Format by Hybrid. One fully online program is available: World Languages and Linguistics.

Money that may help you finish: The Dr. Scott Greenberg Scholarship supports adult learners who have returned to FSU to complete their undergraduate degree. It's designed for students who previously left due to family, financial, or personal reasons. You must be a continuing education undergraduate student in good academic standing to be considered.

Help with what you owe: Payment plans are available for current tuition.

How to apply or come back: The application fee is $50. Submit the readmission application.

Greenfield Community College

Online classes are available, though no fully online programs are offered at this time.

Money that may help you finish: GCC is an eligible institution for MassReconnect — a state program that may offer free college to eligible Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree.

Help with what you owe: Payment plans are available for current tuition.

How to apply or come back: The application is free. If you've been away for one semester or more and left in good academic standing, submit the free readmission application.

Massachusetts Bay Community College

Online and hybrid programs are available.

Money that may help you finish: MassBay participates in the Free Community College Program, which includes MassEducate and MassReconnect — last-dollar grants that allow Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree to attend any of the state's 15 community colleges and pay no tuition or fees.

Help with what you owe: Payment plans are available for current tuition.

How to apply or come back: The application is free. If it's been two years or more since you last attended, submit the free application.

Salem State University

A large number of Salem State classes are available partially or completely online, with formats that include scheduled online meetings and fully asynchronous options. Online degree programs include Healthcare Studies, Criminal Justice, and Bachelor of Science options — contact Carmen Amado for the full list.

Money that may help you finish: The Viking Scholarship is available for returning learners. Contact Carmen Amado for details.

Help with what you owe: Payment plans are available for current tuition.

How to apply or come back: The application is free for returning students. Download the Readmit Application and email it to readmits@salemstate.edu by the published deadline for your chosen term. Contact Carmen Amado if you'd like to review your credits before applying.

UMass Dartmouth

Online programs are available.

Help with what you owe: Payment plans are available for current tuition.

How to apply or come back: The application fee is $60. Submit the readmission application. If you have questions about your existing credits or your fastest path to completion, submit an inquiry and select "Registrar" as the topic — you'll be connected with the right person for your program.

University of Massachusetts Boston

UMass Boston offers one fully online undergraduate degree: RN to B.S. in Nursing, with starts in spring and fall only.

Money that may help you finish: The Beacon Pledge is a funding program for full-time students taking at least 12 credit hours. Contact Admissions for current details on eligibility and availability.

Help with what you owe: Payment plans are available for current tuition.

How to apply or come back: The application is free. UMass Boston has four different readmission processes depending on which program you were last enrolled in — all are outlined in your next steps email.

What to do next

If you're close to finishing, a good first move is finding out what still counts, what returning may cost, and which path fits your life now.

• Connect with the contact listed for your school
• Check whether MassReconnect or MassEducate may cover your tuition — it could make finishing more affordable than you expect
• Ask about payment plans or balance support if cost is a barrier
• Look into online or hybrid options that fit your schedule
• Review the readmission steps specific to your school — they vary

You've already built momentum. Returning is about picking it back up with the right support behind you.