Almost two years into the Free Tuition Pilot Program, the Austin Community College District (ACC) Board of Trustees heard an update on the program’s success at its May 4, 2026, work session.
ACC’s enrollment numbers have reached a historic high, student persistence is up, and ACC is setting a national standard for program design.
“The Free Tuition program is having an impact in ways we could only dream of,” said Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. “It is making access more affordable and equitable. A whole chunk of students wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the program.”
In fact, according to the Fall 2025 ACC Student Omnibus Survey, 31% of students would not have enrolled in any college without free tuition.
Impact, Enrollment & Student Success
Data shared by Institutional Research & Analytics and Academic Affairs teams include:
Historic Enrollment: The program reversed a decade-long decline in direct-to-college (DTC) enrollment, bringing ACC’s numbers to their highest point since 2011. The College saw a 59% increase in DTC student enrollment—from 3,461 in fall 2023 to 5,504 in fall 2025.
Increased Retention & Persistence: Once students get here, they are staying. ACC saw a 49% increase in students returning for a second year. Specifically, fall-to-fall persistence grew from 61% (2022) to 65% (2024).
Surge in Completions: Completion indicators are also positive, with early numbers showing an 87% increase in degrees and awards, aided heavily by prior dual-credit enrollment.
Boost in Full-Time Students: Free Tuition students enroll full-time at nearly double the rate of the overall College population—51% versus 28%, respectively, in fall 2025. This caused the College’s overall full-time enrollment rate to jump in the last two years from 24% to 28%—a metric that had remained stagnant for nearly 20 years.
Improved Student Wellbeing: Students reported feeling less stressed and more confident, largely due to the removal of the fear of taking on student loans.
Operational Scaling: To support the program’s growth, ACC added 1,842 course sections to the Spring 2026 Course Schedule and hired 23 full-time and 112 adjunct faculty members for spring 2026.
National Context & Program Design
Dr. Denisa Gandara, an associate professor and faculty scholar at the University of Texas at Austin who has been studying free tuition and promise programs for over a decade, provided context for how ACC fits into the national picture.
Calling herself “one of ACC’s biggest fans,” Dr. Gandara said that ACC’s program is highly praised among hundreds of similar promise programs nationwide due to its clear messaging and minimal administrative burden.
She commended the first-dollar approach, which is considered a primary best practice. Under ACC’s program, tuition and general fees are paid up front, allowing eligible students to use 100 percent of their need-based financial aid and scholarships to pay other expenses.
Financial Outlook & Budget Adjustments
Trustees also discussed how the College is funding the program. The cost of the five-year pilot was absorbed by the operating budget. The program is currently projected to make up 4.7% ($27 million) of the FY27 budget.
While the higher-than-expected enrollment ultimately resulted in increased costs, the funds to cover the program are still available in the annual budget. Adjustments and increased fundraising may have to be considered to ensure long-term sustainability.
Sustainability & Fundraising Strategy
The ACC Foundation shared details about opportunities to support that longevity. The Foundation was restructured for the first time in 35 years.
Over the past 8-12 months, the Foundation/Advancement has focused on establishing the team by reorganizing and repurposing existing positions, and building out a new customer relationship management system.
This summer, the team will develop donor portfolios, continue meeting with prospects and donors, and will establish major gift strategies focused on funding priorities, including free tuition.
For more information on the program, visit austincc.edu/freetuition.
Tags: ACC Board of Trustees, Free Tuition, Free Tuition Pilot Program
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