Service Area Expands

The Texas Legislature recently expanded the Austin Community College District (ACC) service area to include the entire Elgin and Smithville Independent School Districts.

The move allows Elgin and Smithville high school students to benefit from discounted tuition rates available through the ACC District’s Early College Start program. Early College Start, one of ACC’s more popular programs, allows high school juniors and seniors to take up to two college classes per semester at the reduced rate. The savings amounts to almost $300 per class.

Before House Bill 3236, the two school districts resided in both the ACC District and Blinn Community College service areas. State Rep. Robert Cook, whose district encompasses Elgin and Smithville, authored House Bill 3236.

Community colleges serve as the primary gateway to higher education for most residents. The Legislature historically has set community college service areas to ensure all Texans have access to quality higher education.

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