TC3 Announces Free Degrees in High-Demand Fields Via SUNY Reconnect Program

Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) says adults will now have an opportunity to earn a degree at no cost if that degree is in a high-demand field. The announcement for the free degree opportunity comes from SUNY’s Reconnect program, which was created after the approval of the state budget.

TC3 says the program will provide a free associates degree in high-demand fields for New Yorkers who are 25 to 55 years old. This will include the tuition, fees, books, and supplies. The school says an information session regarding the program will be held on June 3rd at TC3. You can register for the information session HERE.

“The approval of the New York State budget that includes Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal for free community college marks a significant milestone in our state’s commitment to education,” said TC3 President Amy Kremenek. “It is well documented that earning an associate degree in these high-demand fields will greatly enhance career opportunities and earnings, and now New Yorkers 25 to 55 will be able to get that degree at no cost. This will greatly benefit not only the individuals that earn their degree, and their families, but also New York State as a whole. We are very excited to remove the financial barrier to getting a degree for this group of students.”

Adults who are 25 to 55 years old and have no previous college degree are eligible to earn a free degree. The programs in which they may earn an associates degree can be found below.

• Chemical Dependency Counseling
• Computer Information Systems
• Computer Science
• Computer Support Specialist
• Construction and Environmental Technology
• Environmental Studies
• Nursing, Sustainable Farming and Food Systems
• Teacher Education Transfer – Adolescence
• Teacher Education Transfer – Childhood
• Teacher Education Transfer – Early Childhood

Prospective students interested in the program may enroll now and begin in the fall semester.