Spring registration for the Free College Benefit is open.

Imagine What You Can Achieve with

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OPEIU FREE COLLEGE

The Free College Benefit makes it possible for you and your family members to earn your certificate, associate degree, or complete your bachelor’s degree completely online- with no cost to you!

Why Get Your Degree?

A Degree Makes A Difference

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Assurance

Our programs are transfer-friendly, which means we want you to get as much credit as possible toward your degree for previous work. And we'll help you navigate transfer to other institutions, if that's your goal!
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Balance

Go back to school while you continue to work. If you’re unsure or get stuck, you’ll have online access to tutoring services, your enrollment advisor and your highly-qualified instructors.
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Credibility

Our partners are accredited academic institutions committed to helping you meet your educational goals.
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Flexibility

Online classes let you study and complete assignments whenever you have time during your busy week. Each class will provide the assignment and test deadlines to help you manage your active life style.

Did you know?

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You won’t pay any out-of-pocket costs for tuition fees or e-books for participating programs at select schools. To be eligible, students must agree to use any federal financial aid grants or employer assistance. The Free College benefit will cover the rest- even if you aren’t eligible for any other aid!
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Many programs recognize and accept previous college work or relevant work or military experience toward your degree.
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Many jobs and career paths today require higher education beyond high school. Whether you have previously attended college or you're just getting started, we have a place for you!

The OPEIU Free College Benefit

With the OPEIU Free College Benefit, you and your family members can earn a degree or certificate online with no out-of-pocket costs to you, which can save you thousands of dollars.

OPEIU Members

Retired OPEIU Members

Family of OPEIU Members*

The Free College Benefit covers any amount for tuition, fees or books that is not covered by Federal or Employer education grants.

* Family of OPEIU members are defined as children (or stepchildren), grandchildren (or step-grandchildren), spouses, domestic partners, financial dependents, siblings and parents.

START NOW, YOUR FREE COLLEGE BENEFIT AWAITS!

Your dream of going back to school can become a reality. It all starts with the decision to take action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Listed here are helpful answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the Free College benefit and the current online program offerings. For more information or additional support, call us at 1(833)465-2505 or email [email protected].

What is the Free College Benefit?
The Free College Benefit is an investment in you and your future. With the Free College Benefit, union members and their families do not have to pay out of pocket for any tuition, fees, or e-books to earn select degrees and certificates at Eastern Gateway Community College and other participating colleges resulting in cost savings of thousands of dollars!

The benefit works as a “last-dollar scholarship,” or grant or waiver, that is intended to fill the gap between any federal, state, or employer education grants you receive and the cost of tuition, fees, and e-books for certain online degree programs at Eastern Gateway Community College (and other partner colleges). It does require an investment of your time and attention!

About Us

There are always points in your career — and your life — in which you want to move forward. You want to improve; you want to feel inspired and reach new goals. Perhaps you want to qualify for a promotion, finish your degree, or enrich your life through learning. Whatever your motivation, quality education can be the catalyst to get you where you want to go.

It’s OPEIU’s mission to give you every advantage to get ahead. Through the OPEIU Free College Benefit, you and your family members can now earn a certificate or degree completely online — for FREE.

Visit OPEIU’s website for more information on member benefits.

Areas of Study

Free College Option

The Free College Benefit program provides students access to a variety of programs and classes to help you meet your education goals.

Whether you’re just starting college, enhancing your skills, changing careers, or looking for classes to enrich your life, we have a place for you in one of our program’s participating schools.

You can complete your degree online from anywhere and access your courses at any time of the day.  This benefit program is designed for working professionals to have the opportunity to fit online education into their busy lives, with no debt.

Associate Degree Subject Areas:
  • Accounting
  • Associate of Arts (General Studies and Transfer)
  • Business Management
  • Criminal Justice
  • Healthcare Administration
  • Health Services
  • Paralegal
  • Professional Office Management Degree
  • Social Work
  • Teacher Education Degree (Associate of Arts)
Certificate Subject Areas:
  • Paralegal
  • Patient Health Navigator
  • Business Management
Certificate of Completion Subject Areas:
  • Advertising
  • Cannabis Fundamentals
  • Data Analytics
  • Digital and Social Media Marketing
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Science
  • Finance
  • Hospitality - Food and Beverage Management
  • Hospitality - Hotel and Event Management
  • Human Resources Management
  • Labor Studies
  • Marketing
  • Operations Management
  • Programming and Development
  • Project Management Fundamentals
  • Sustainable Environments
  • Waste Management
Associate Degree subject areas offered, with some content fees:
  • Fire Science
  • Information Technology Degree
  • Health Information Management
Certificate subject areas offered, with some content fees:
  • IT - Essentials
  • IT - Networking
  • IT - Linux and Security
  • Medical Coding Specialist
  • Medical Scribe Specialist

START NOW! YOUR FREE COLLEGE BENEFIT AWAITS.

Your dream of going back to school can become a reality. It all starts with the decision to take action.

Testimonials