news
ACC board snubs diversity, offers pittance to students after free tuition fiasco.
Free tuition is a right, not a privilege, and it's about time this school acknowledged that. Those 2024 students better get ready to learn and earn, not pay to play.
Published July 2, 2024 at 2:53pm by Lily Kepner
Austin Community College Board Unanimously Approves Life-Changing Affordability Scholarship; Chancellor Lowery-Hart Proud of Trustees' Bold Bet on Students
The Austin Community College (ACC) board of trustees took a bold, transformative step on Monday, unanimously voting to create the Affordability Scholarship. This groundbreaking move will provide a much-needed financial boost to current ACC students, covering their last 15 credit hours of tuition and helping them successfully complete their degrees.
“I don't know a college in the country who's been willing to put such important financial resources and betting on their students the way this group of trustees has done. So I'm really proud of them and really proud of the college.” - ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart
This scholarship is a direct response to the calls for support from current students, and it accelerates Chancellor Lowery-Hart's visionary goal of expanding free tuition to all. With an estimated 20,000 eligible students, the scholarship is funded by a remarkable one-time $12.75 million payment from ACC's reserves, showing a true commitment to making education accessible and affordable.
Details of the Scholarship:
- Eligibility: Based on the spring 2024 enrollment, students who complete 45 hours within two years are eligible.
- Coverage: The scholarship covers the $87 per credit hour fee and general fees for in-district students, providing crucial support for those within ACC's service area.
- Distribution: Once a student reaches 45 hours, they will automatically receive the tuition credit, which they can then decide how to allocate over 15 hours. The credit must be used within a year.
- Stacking: As a first-dollar scholarship, it stacks with existing scholarships like Pell Grants, allowing students to use the additional funds for other living costs.
“I'm really proud to work for a group of trustees that heard our students so profoundly and have spent such intentional thought on trying to find a way to do exactly what the students asked us to.” - Chancellor Lowery-Hart
The approval of this scholarship is a testament to the power of student voices, as it came shortly after student leaders advocated for support for current students alongside the free tuition pilot program, which passed on April 1. This combination of free tuition for recent high school graduates and support for current students is a powerful statement of ACC's commitment to accessible education.
Reserve Funds Used for Scholarship Won't Impact ACC's Financial Stability:
While the scholarship utilizes reserve funds, Chancellor Lowery-Hart assures that it won't impact the college's financial stability. The reserves will still exceed ACC's policy requirement, and the projected financial standing at the end of this fiscal year allows for a quick equalization of the funds.
A Powerful Example for Other Colleges:
This scholarship sets a powerful precedent, especially as it aligns with House Bill 8, which rewards community colleges for the successful credentials of their students. Myles Lopez-Cepero, an ACC student, highlights the potential impact:
“This really protects and safeguards students from getting caught up in that vulnerable circuit... I can easily see that meeting turning into the page on a history textbook one of these days.” - Myles Lopez-Cepero, ACC Student
Additional Budgetary Allocations:
In addition to the scholarship, the board also approved a $500,000 minimum allocation for student emergency aid in the fiscal year 2025 budget, recognizing the importance of supporting students holistically. This aid can provide essential support for students facing housing insecurity or other financial crises, truly making a difference between sleeping in a car and having a roof over their heads.
The trustees have proven their commitment to both students and employees, approving an across-the-board 4.5% raise for the administration, which they asserted was the highest of any competitor.
Read more: ACC Board approves Affordability Scholarship for current students after free tuition pilot