ACC trustees approve free tuition pilot program, votes not to increase tuition rates
Austin Community College Board of Trustees on Monday approved two measures they say will keep college affordable.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Community College Board of Trustees on Monday approved two measures it says will keep college affordable.
The board approved a proposal to offer free tuition for high school graduates and GED completers starting with the high school class of 2024. A release about the decision said the approval for the ACC Free Tuition pilot program — also known as the College Affordability Plan — came after months of discussion. Eight voted for the program and one abstained.
ACC will pilot the new program for a period of five years starting in fall 2024. The program will provide free tuition to the class of 2024 and continue for all future classes in subsequent
years for the next five years.
The pilot program offers free tuition and general fees for high school seniors, including public, private, charter, and homeschoolers and GED completers, in the ACC service area.
There are no GPA requirements or income restrictions, and 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 and/or certification, the release said. For example, an eligible student graduating from high school in May 2024 will receive free tuition from fall 2024 through summer 2027.
Students who complete the initial ACC Free Tuition program are eligible for an additional two years to obtain a bachelor’s degree from the college, for a total of five years of free tuition at ACC.
Students are also still eligible and encouraged to apply for additional financial aid and scholarships to support other college and life expenses including child care, living expenses, food, and housing, ACC noted.
Find more information about the free tuition program online.
The board also unanimously approved the decision to maintain tuition fees for 2024-25, marking the 11th consecutive year tuition and fees remain unchanged at the college.
An ACC release about the decision said in-district students will continue paying $67 per credit hour for tuition. With fees, it comes to $85 per credit hour.
The out-of-district fee will remain the same at $201 per credit hour. Trustees voted to lower out-of-district fees in recent years, according to the release.
ACC’s tuition rate remains an estimated 31% lower than if it increased at the same rate of inflation, according to the release. ACC said considering an inflation rate of 2.5% — tuition would have gone from $67 per credit hour to $88 per credit hour over the past 11 years.
Registration for fall classes begins on Monday, May 13 and opens for everyone Friday, May 17. The semester begins on Monday, Aug. 26.