After months of planning, the Austin Community College District (ACC) Board of Trustees has approved a new scholarship program to support current students.
The board unanimously approved the Affordability Scholarship program during its regular meeting on Monday, July 1.
The Affordability Scholarship program was developed in response to a request from Trustees who asked the administration to consider ways ACC can better support current students.
It came on the heels of the new Free Tuition pilot program. The program was designed to provide tuition support to new high school grads and GED® completers.
”I want to thank the board for working through this plan to support the students already working toward their degree at ACC. This Board is deeply committed to the work it takes to close equity gaps and improve the lives of our students. This shows the work we continue to do to meet the basic needs of our students while they are here,” says ACC Board Chair Dr. Barbara Mink. “We want to find ways to thoughtfully improve higher education and be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. Decisions like these demonstrate the commitment to every student, to this college, and the entire Central Texas community.”
“Our student leaders had the courage to come to us and share what their lives are really like. They’re experiencing things like food and housing insecurity more than ever,” says ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. “I’m so proud of this Board, our students, and this college for listening and putting our students and their needs first. With this program, we’re one more step closer to making tuition free for everyone.”
Who Qualifies
The two-year program is limited to students who were enrolled in a credit course at ACC during the spring 2024 semester. Students are eligible for the Affordability Scholarship once they have completed 45 credit hours toward an associate degree at ACC. More than 20,000 students who were enrolled in spring 2024 could be eligible.
How It Works
Students who are awarded an Affordability Scholarship will receive tuition support for 15 credit hours that go toward a degree program at ACC. Recipients will have one academic year to apply the tuition support to their courses.
How It’s Funded
The program is expected to cost $12.75 million and will be funded with existing dollars in the college’s reserves budget.
Both the Free Tuition pilot program and the new Affordability Scholarship are part of the college’s work to make tuition free for all student populations. Ongoing planning is underway to examine future phases of free tuition programs.
Other Financial Support Options for Students
ACC also is working to improve the existing Student Emergency Fund (SEF), which provides immediate financial support for students during unforeseen circumstances. The changes include increasing the fund by $500,000, with the intention of adding more funding if money runs out, and updating the application to simplify the process.
All students are encouraged to apply for financial support. Now’s the time to apply for a scholarship and to submit your FAFSA or TASFA. Financial aid can help you pay for college. Many students are eligible for some type of financial assistance like grants, scholarships, work-study, or loans. The Financial Aid Office can work with you to explore options and access the funds you need to pay for college.
For more information, visit austincc.edu/financialaid.
More information about the Affordability Scholarship, including how to find out if you’re eligible will be shared in the coming weeks.