ACC votes to approve new affordability scholarship

Austin Community College’s Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a new Affordability Scholarship program designed to help enrolled students finish their degrees. The scholarship, which applies to students who completed a credit course in spring 2024, will cover the final 15 credit hours for students who have completed 45 hours toward a degree at ACC. The move is part of a larger plan to make education free for everyone. It is expected to cost $12.75 million and will be funded through existing reserves. “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,” ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart said in a statement to the press. “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.”  ACC is also working to expand its Student Emergency Fund to $500,000 in order to support students that need help due to unforeseen circumstances.