Dear Riverbats,
This week, our Board of Trustees approved the first phase in a bold proposal to make college more affordable. I want you to know more about our plan, how we’re starting, and what we’re doing next.
I know that paying for college is one of the biggest challenges many of you face. It’s the same for college students nationwide, and it’s one of the leading reasons many people aren’t going to college after high school.
In January, we started working on a plan to explore what free tuition could look like at ACC. Our goal is to make this something we can offer all students. To get there, we have to test it out and prove that it can work.
We’re starting with a pilot program. High school graduates and GED® completers who graduate after July 1, 2023, will be part of this first pilot cohort. We selected this group for a couple of reasons. First, we looked at data and discovered that over the past year, 57% of high school seniors in our region didn’t enroll in postsecondary education after graduating high school. When we talked to students who applied to ACC but never enrolled, they told us that tuition costs were the overwhelming reason they postponed college.
We think the ACC Free Tuition pilot program can help. With the board’s approval now in place, ACC will pilot the new program for five years, starting in fall 2024.
Again, this is just the first step in our bigger journey to make tuition free to every student.
We know you face many of the same challenges. During the board meeting, one student came to share their support for the pilot program and advocate for our current students. Carey’s words resonated with all of us. I want you to know that we’re thinking of you, too. Up next, we’re going to explore opportunities to extend tuition relief to our current students. I don’t know exactly what that looks like yet, but we’re looking at our options. It could be something like new financial support for those who are close to completion. We will know more in the coming weeks and months. I will keep you updated.
But I don’t want you to wait. Every year, there’s money left — unclaimed — through grants, scholarships, and more. I hope you will apply for these dollars. I encourage you to complete the FAFSA or TASFA and apply for scholarships. The deadline for priority consideration is May 1. You don’t have to do it alone. Our teams can help connect you with financial support.
And, don’t forget about all the other support services available, from food and groceries to child care scholarships and vouchers and emergency funds. Please reach out to your advisor to get connected.
I want to thank you for your patience as we work to become the college that you need. We’re going to continue reaching out to you to learn more about what you truly need to complete your program of study at ACC. You will be our guide through this process. There will be conversations, surveys, and work sessions. I invite you to participate along the way.
Thank you for choosing ACC. I look forward to taking these next steps together.
Much love,
russell
Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart
Chancellor
Austin Community College District
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