Free college tuition for high school seniors possible under new ACC proposal

Free college tuition at ACC may be possible

If the proposal is approved, the program could start as soon as this fall and cover the cost of tuition for all Central Texas high school students who graduate in 2024.

AUSTIN, Texas - Austin Community College is proposing a bold new plan to offer free college tuition to current high school seniors in Central Texas. While it’s not a done deal yet, school officials say the idea is a potential game changer.

"The students and families that need these degrees are often the ones that don't think they can afford it, and we think we've found a way to help them afford it," said ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart.

Under the proposed pilot program, any high school senior in ACC’s service area who’s graduating this spring, would be eligible to attend any campus, from Highland to Riverside to Round Rock. It would cover course credits for up to three years, resident tuition and related fees.

The plan does not cover out-of-district fees for students who live outside ACC’s taxing district. It does not apply to non-residents or international students, and does not cover the cost of course fees or textbooks.

"This program is ‘first dollar in’, meaning, as a college and a community, we believe so much in you that we're going to cover the cost of your tuition and most of your fees, so that you can use your federal financial aid, and you can use the scholarships that you earn, to pay for childcare or transportation or housing," said Lowery-Hart.

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For students who choose to stay at ACC after they get their associate’s degree, the program would cover an additional two years of school.

"You could actually get a bachelor's degree for free," said Lowery-Hart.

The free tuition is funded through ACC’s budget, with recently-passed House Bill 8 freeing up more money to make it happen. The hope is to eventually grow the pilot program to include all students.

"I think there's a national conversation right now about the value of higher education. And is the cost worth the value? I think that it is, but I think we have to be really thoughtful about that cost," said Lowery-Hart.

Lowery-Hart sees this idea as a model for higher education in Texas and across the country.

"Instead of spending 20 or 30 years paying off a student loan, they can buy a house and grow a family, and subsequently grow our region," said Lowery-Hart.

ACC officials plan on presenting a formal plan to the board of trustees in February. The board would then vote on it in March.

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How would this program work?

The proposal is a "first dollar" program — meaning ACC's funds would be the first dollars a student would receive to help cover the costs of college. Under the program, students could still apply for Pell grants, financial aid, and scholarships to get additional financial support to help cover other expenses like housing, child care, textbooks, and more.

What’s Included:

Fund $85 per credit hour for up to 3 years
$67 Resident Tuition
$15 General Fee
$2 Success Fee
$1 Sustainability Fee

What’s Not Included:

Out-of-District Fee (currently $201/SCH)
Non-Residents/International Students
Any Course/Program Specific Fees
Textbooks

Under the program, Central Texas high school seniors in the class of 2024 would have three years of tuition support to help them work toward completing their associate degree. Those who continue at ACC to pursue a bachelor’s degree would receive two additional years of tuition support.

How would this program be funded?

Funds for the proposed program are already available within the college’s annual budget, says ACC.

The state appropriations received through House Bill 8 would be used to help fund college programs and expenses, which will ultimately free up dollars to help cover tuition for these students.

If approved, ACC hopes to expand partnerships and grow the pilot program to include all students.

ACC says a formal plan for the pilot program is expected to be presented to the Board of Trustees in February.