Starting in fall 2024, Austin Community College District (ACC) will launch a new Affordability Scholarship program designed to help reduce financial barriers for current students. Eligible students will receive tuition credits for up to 15 credit hours to put toward their first associate degree at ACC.
Who Qualifies
The special program is limited to students pursuing their first associate degree and were enrolled in a credit course at ACC during spring 2024.
Students who qualify meet the following criteria:
- Were enrolled in credit courses at ACC in spring 2024.
- Have earned 45 or more credit hours toward an associate degree at ACC at any time during the two-year pilot program.
- Are enrolled and working toward their first ACC associate degree.
- Are not enrolled in another tuition waiver program.
Students do not qualify if they meet any of the following criteria:
- Were not enrolled at ACC in spring 2024.
- Are already enrolled in a tuition waiver program.
- Are an out-of-state (non-resident) or international student.
- Have already earned an ACC associate degree.
- Are working toward a certificate only. Students who meet all other program requirements can become eligible for the tuition credit after becoming associate degree declared.
- Are in an ACC bachelor’s degree program.
When Do Qualified Students Become Eligible
If you were enrolled in a credit course in spring 2024, you become eligible for the tuition credits once you earn 45 credit hours toward your degree. Students have up to two years to become eligible and up to one year (three consecutive semesters) after becoming eligible to use their tuition credits.
| When You Earned 45 Credit Hours | When You Can Apply Your Tuition Credits |
| Spring and/or Summer 2024 | Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025 |
| Fall 2024 | Spring 2025, Summer 2025, Fall 2025 |
| Spring 2025 | Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026 |
| Summer 2025 | Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Summer 2026 |
| Fall 2025 | Spring 2026, Summer 2026 |
| Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 |
The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the new program at its regular July board meeting. Since then, the college has worked to iron out the details of when it will launch and how to get the scholarship.
How It Works
The program starts this fall for students who have reached the 45 credit hour requirement! To check your progress, you can log in to Student Planning in Self-Service and run your own degree audit. The audit will show you how many credits you have in your degree program so you can see when you’re eligible.
Once you meet the eligibility criteria,your tuition credits will automatically register in our system. There are no additional steps or forms you need to complete for your credit courses.
ACC encourages you to meet with your advisor. They can help you map out your next courses so that you can make the most of your tuition credits under the Affordability Scholarship program. Remember, you may still be responsible for non-tuition fees. This may include out-of-district fees, textbook costs, or unique course fees.
For more information, including a list of frequently asked questions, visit austincc.edu/affordabilityscholarship.
Students Who Don’t Qualify
If you don’t meet the eligibility criteria for the Affordability Scholarship, there’s still financial support for you.
All students are encouraged to file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) form (which helps non-citizens and undocumented students who are Texas residents access state financial aid) and apply for scholarships.
Every year, money for students goes unclaimed. When you submit your FAFSA or TASFA you become eligible for special grants, loans, scholarships, and more.
These sorts of resources can help you cover expenses from tuition and course fees to housing, groceries, childcare, and transportation.
ACC also is working to expand the Student Emergency Fund. This year, we’re adding an extra $500,000 to the fund. The program provides immediate financial support for students during unforeseen circumstances.
For more information, visit austincc.edu/financialaid.