ACC Hikes Tuition

At its Monday meeting, the Austin Community College board of trustees voted to raise tuition by $3 per credit hour. A press release from the college said the tuition increase was the first in five years and would generate about $2.5 million in 2011. Vice Chair Allen Kaplan said the increase was a necessity as revenues from ACC's other two funding sources – local property taxes and state appropriations – are expected to decline. "No one likes to raise the cost of tuition, but it is a prudent response to the financial reality we face," said Kaplan. "At the same time, we are reducing allocations in other areas where possible, so students bear less of a burden." The hike would increase in-district tuition to $42 per credit hour, for a total cost (including fees) of $174 per three-credit class. The hike would be $13 per credit hour for out-of-district tuition, costing students from outside ACC's taxing district $498 (fees included) for a three-credit class. In other ACC news, trustees certified petitions from Hays Consolidated Independent School District residents seeking annexation into the ACC taxing district. After publication of a service plan and a public hearing, HCISD residents can vote on annexation.