Austin Community College District’s (ACC) Free Tuition Pilot Program is making college more accessible — and students are seeing the benefits. As the second cohort reaches the midpoint of their first semester, enrollment and persistence are hitting historic highs.

“This program shows what’s possible when we remove barriers,” says ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. “When students have access, they don’t just enroll — they persist, complete, and thrive. Free tuition has opened doors for thousands who once thought college was out of reach. It’s changing lives, changing families, and transforming the future of Central Texas.”

What Students Are Achieving

  • Enrollment is at a 13-year high with 43,891 students enrolled this fall, and numbers are still climbing as 8-week courses begin.
  • The Free Tuition Pilot Program now serves 10,462 students, representing 47% of the College’s total enrollment growth since 2023.
  • Persistence is up: More students enrolled in the Free Tuition program are staying on track at ACC. Data show 65% of Free Tuition students (3,225) returned in fall 2024 compared with 61% (2,016) in fall 2022.
  • The number of students enrolled full-time increased 42% from 2023 (8,698) to 2025 (12,388), reflecting stronger student engagement and momentum toward completion.

The Free Tuition Pilot covers tuition and general fees for eligible high school and GED® graduates from ACC’s service area — up to three years for an associate degree or five years for a bachelor’s degree.

For more information, visit austincc.edu/freetuition. 

More Ways ACC Supports Students

ACC also launched something called The Affordability Scholarship in summer 2024. It gives eligible students (those who were enrolled in credit classes in spring 2024) tuition credits for up to 15 credit hours. Since its launch, 6,539 students have benefited, with 2,456 earning their associate degrees so far.

Together, these programs are part of ACC’s broader Theory of Change, designed to eliminate barriers, increase completion, and help students thrive both in college and beyond.

For more information, including a list of frequently asked questions, visit austincc.edu/affordabilityscholarship.