The Austin Community College District (ACC) Board of Trustees approved the ACC Free Tuition pilot program in April 2024. The new program provides free tuition and general fees to the high school class of 2024 and subsequent high school classes for the duration of the five-year pilot. This pilot began in the fall semester of 2024 and is a step toward the ultimate goal of providing free tuition to everyone. This initiative includes GED completers.
Faculty are essential partners in helping ACC’s Free Tuition students succeed, from offering academic guidance to directing them to the many support resources available on campus. This page includes resources and FAQs tailored to help faculty and instructional staff understand the program and support Free Tuition students effectively in their classrooms and beyond.
Reaching Our North Star
This program aligns seamlessly with ACC’s Theory of Change, driving progress toward our North Star Goal: a 70% student completion rate by 2030. By removing financial barriers, we’re addressing core challenges identified through data and student feedback while staying true to the four key pillars of our strategy – start strong, meet basic needs, enroll full-time, and create a culture of belonging and connection.
Building Toward a Brighter Future
This pilot program is just the beginning. By investing in our students today, we’re shaping the future of education at ACC and beyond. Faculty and staff play a pivotal role in making this vision a reality by fostering connections, supporting student growth, and upholding our shared values in every interaction.Together, we are saying yes to a brighter future—one where every student has the opportunity to succeed.
About the Free Tuition Program – FAQs
Is there an application process?
The ACC application process for students remains the same. There are no additional steps or changes in the process.
Are CE Programs included in the Free Tuition program?
Continuing Education programs are not yet eligible for free tuition. Students can get free tuition and general fees on courses that are part of any ACC credit program that leads to a credit workforce certificate or an associate or bachelor’s degree. Courses that are eligible for transfer to a four-year university also will qualify. Credit certificates or credit occupational awards that are embedded in associate degree programs also qualify.
How does the Free Tuition program affect classes that have lab or material fees?
Students will still be responsible for unique course fees, including materials and textbooks.
What are we doing to support other students, including current students and adult learners?
Our goal is to expand the ACC Free Tuition program to all students, but at this time, it remains a pilot program. The College encourages other student populations to apply for other financial support services available. Our options are posted on the college’s financial support website. The FAFSA and TASFA programs are a great place to begin. It is also scholarship season. The ACC Affordability Scholarship was a special limited-time program that supports students who were enrolled in a credit course at Austin Community College during the spring 2024 semester.
How will the costs of this program be covered?
- Tuition and fees make up a small part of our annual budget. Currently, the tuition revenue for all direct-to-college high school graduates represents about four percent of the college’s total budget. We estimated the cost for the pilot program in its first year to be approximately $7 million. So, we are able to pay for this program in our existing budget.
- To grow this pilot and expand it to future student groups, we’re going to rely heavily upon our partnerships in the community. The college is aggressively expanding its development efforts to encourage more corporate, community, and philanthropic partners to invest in the college and the success of our students.
What happens to people who have free tuition and drop out or just don’t show up?
ACC Free Tuition eliminates tuition costs up-front for at least three years and does not require students to pay back any tuition. However, repayment of financial aid may be required in certain scenarios, such as dropping courses, withdrawing, or failing grades. For more information, visit the Financial Aid website.
Will incoming students still need to be TSI-compliant? How will college readiness be determined?
Students must still meet the standard college-readiness requirements to enroll. The Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA2) tests determine college readiness in reading, writing, and math. All entering students must take the TSIA2 tests before registering for classes unless they are exempt or meet the minimum scores.
- Eligible high school graduates & GED® completers get three years of free tuition at ACC from the time they graduate to earn up to an associate degree or five years of free tuition if they want to pursue their bachelor’s degree at ACC.
- The time constraints begin the first fall after a student graduates high school. While a student is not required to enroll during any given semester, they will forfeit free tuition opportunities for that semester if they decide not to enroll. Free tuition benefits will not carry over.
A student does not have to enroll full-time to be eligible for the ACC Free Tuition pilot program, and there are no minimum course credits a student must register for to be eligible. However, we hope that with this financial support, more students can enroll full-time. Data show students who enroll full-time have higher persistence and completion rates.
- If a student qualifies for the Free Tuition pilot program, their free tuition will automatically register in our system. There are no additional steps or forms they need to complete. Students will follow our regular application and registration process. They can visit austincc.edu/regsupport for guidance.
- Please note:
- Students who receive ACC Free Tuition may be responsible for costs outside of what is covered through their Free Tuition program. These may include but are not limited to: first-day book fees, course-specific fees, out-of-district fees, etc.
- Students who receive ACC Free Tuition will be notified of any fees and charges that are not covered by their funding. They are expected to pay their remaining balance before the payment deadline or risk being dropped from their courses due to non-payment.
- Although the ACC Free Tuition program does not cover costs such as textbooks, supplies, transportation, and other living expenses, all students are welcome and encouraged to apply for Financial Aid and scholarships to help alleviate other cost of living expenses.