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AUSTIN — Austin Community College District’s Board of Trustees made big moves April 1 to keep college affordable for students in its service area, including Elgin’s aspiring learners.
After months of discussion, trustees approved the ACC Free Tuition pilot program, also known as the College Affordability Plan, with eight voting for and one abstaining. The historic decision will offer free tuition for high school graduates and General Education Diploma completers, starting with the class of 2024.
“We have a responsibility to our students and the Central Texas taxpayers. As a board, we believe deeply in making college a reality for everyone in Central Texas,” said Barbara Mink, ACC chairperson.
“Ongoing due diligence will help ensure this program remains sustainable and keep us focused on the full picture. We are adamant about not only supporting access to higher education through programs like ACC Free Tuition, and also doing what we can to help meet the basic needs of students while they’re here.”
ACC will pilot the new program for a period of five years, starting in fall for this year’s graduating class. The program would offer free tuition and general fees for high school seniors, including public, private, charter and homeschoolers and GED completers, in the ACC service area.
Data indicates a significant shift in college-going rates in Central Texas, according to the College Higher Education Coordinating Board. 57% of high school graduates in 2023 didn’t enroll in postsecondary education after graduating.
Potential ACC students, those who started an application but ultimately chose not to enroll, indicated that tuition costs were the overwhelming reason why they were postponing college, according to the Board.
There are no GPA requirements or income restrictions for the program, according to reports. Those who enroll will sign an acknowledgment letter and may enroll in any college academic or workforce credit program. Eligible students will have three years, starting from the first fall semester after they graduate high school, to complete their associate degree and obtain any desired academic or workforce credentials or certification.
“People are experiencing a life that’s not affordable, and they can’t find a way to climb out and up. It’s not about getting students in the door. It’s about eliminating barriers so that they not only come, they persist, they graduate and they enter our local workforce with the skills and talents our community needs,” said Russell Lowery- Hart, ACC chancellor.
Additionally, the Board approved maintaining current tuition rates for students already enrolled. This marks the eleventh consecutive year tuition and fees remain unchanged at ACC.
In-district students at ACC will continue to pay $67 per credit hour for tuition. The out-of-district fee will remain the same at $201 per credit hour. Trustees voted to lower these out-of-district fees in recent years.
For more information about ACC Free Tuition, visit https://sites.austincc. edu/free-tuition/.
