As the second cohort of the Free Tuition Pilot Program enters the halfway mark of their first semester, Austin Community College District (ACC) reports record-breaking enrollment. Students are also continuing to stay enrolled year over year at higher rates. The College shared the findings with the Board of Trustees during the October work session.

“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.”

The Free Tuition Pilot Program launched in fall 2024. It covers tuition and general fees for eligible high school and GED® graduates from ACC’s service area, starting with the Class of 2024. As a pilot program, it’s currently funded through the high school graduating class of 2028. Eligible students receive up to three years of free tuition toward an associate degree or five years toward a bachelor’s degree at ACC.

Key highlights from the first year:

  • 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.

For more information, visit austincc.edu/freetuition. 

ACC Affordability Scholarship

The Free Tuition Pilot is one of several initiatives within ACC’s broader Theory of Change, designed to eliminate barriers to completion and promote lifelong success. In summer 2024, the College launched the Affordability Scholarship, a student-driven effort that helps current students finish what they started.

The program offers tuition credits for up to 15 credit hours to students pursuing their first associate degree who were enrolled in credit classes in spring 2024 and have earned 45 or more credit hours. Since its launch, 6,539 students have benefited, and 2,456 of those recipients have now earned an associate degree.

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