The new state budget would allow free tuition for community college students, but there may not be enough money to pay for it.

Community college could be free starting in the fall of 2020. The state would pay for all tuition and fees that scholarships and federal grants don't pay for.

It would cover students' first 72 credit hours. Only full-time, in-state students qualify and students must maintain "satisfactory academic progress."

To pay for free tuition, lawmakers want to create online lottery games. But if they don't raise enough money, Gov. Ned Lamont would have to find the money somewhere else.

If free tuition does happen, students say it will be a huge weight off of their shoulders.

Supporters think this program could actually pay for itself. If it attracts enough new students, a lot of new federal dollars could come with them.