Austin Community College District recently approved a pilot program to offer FREE college tuition and general fees to all high school graduates and GED completers who live in the ACC service area – that means all students zoned to Leander ISD are eligible.
The ACC Free Tuition pilot program starts with the class of 2024. It will continue for all future classes in subsequent years for the next five years. There are no income restrictions and no GPA requirements.
“In LISD, we have a goal of ensuring equitable access to opportunities,” said Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. “It’s fantastic when our community partners share the same vision of eliminating barriers for students pursuing options once they leave our system.”
Data shows that roughly 70 percent of LISD students enroll in some form of higher education immediately following high school graduation. Currently, 1 in 4 of those enrolled students attend ACC.
“With this free tuition program, we expect the number of students who see ACC as a viable option will only increase,” LISD Counseling Services Director Steve Clark said. “Removing this up-front cost of tuition opens up opportunities for students who did not see college as an option due to cost. This also provides a tuition-free option for those on a non-traditional path through ACC’s work-based options and developmental courses for students not TSI-ready.”
Previously, reaching 60 credit hours through ACC, the amount equivalent to an associate’s degree could cost a little more than $5,000. Now, that path is tuition free.
During this pilot period, these ACC courses are available to full-time and part-time students. That means students looking to pick up a course while home for the summer or looking to complete a credential or degree while enrolled elsewhere are eligible as long as they maintain their residency requirements.
Through this program, students can take ACC classes, enroll in university transfer programs, and get a degree or workforce certificate. It does not cover course- or program-specific fees or textbooks. Students eligible for financial aid and scholarships can use these to help pay for fees, textbooks and other expenses like rent, food, and transportation.
To learn more about the program, visit austincc.edu/freetuition or click this link. Fall registration begins Friday, May 17.
