The Community College System of New Hampshire plans to provide free tuition for in-state students with a family income of up to $100,000, Gov. Kelly Ayotte announced on Wednesday.
If approved by the legislature, the Community College Promise Program would start in fall 2027. The program would cover tuition costs that remain after federal and state financial aid is applied to a student’s bill, and it would be available to both new and current students across the seven community colleges.
“I frankly think this could be the single most important thing we can do for the workforce in this state, for our business partners and for our young people, and also those who are going back in a second career, to make sure that we can grow New Hampshire and that they can stay right here and have a great career,” Ayotte said.
New Hampshire’s community colleges have grappled with eroding enrollment levels for years, and the state has paid heightened attention to the system since 2024, when a task force created by then-Gov. Chris Sununu returned recommendations for restructuring it.
The system’s Board of Trustees has endorsed unifying all community colleges under the same accreditation, one of the task force’s short-term recommendations, and adjustments like a free tuition plan reflect further attempts to attract more students and follow employment trends.
Community College System Chancellor Chuck Lloyd said the program will help students afford higher education and receive more opportunities during a time of workforce shortages, especially in trades and technical programs.
“It is not just about the back end of student graduates, it’s about getting them through the front door,” Lloyd said. “And this is an opportunity to get students through the front door.”
In order to qualify for the program, students must be enrolled in at least six credits per semester and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA.
Braden Trombly, a student at Manchester Community College, thought the program was a great idea.
“It would help a lot of families out here who aren’t as fortunate,” Trombly said.
The program will be included in Ayotte’s recommended state budget for the 2028-29 fiscal year. It would not cover fees, which average $600 across the colleges.
According to the college system, the cost of attendance for full-time students enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester, including housing and food, totals about $15,000 for students living on campus and $11,289 for students commuting from home. Only students who live on campus are charged directly by the college for housing and meals.
