Austin Community College Cuts Tuition To Spur Employment

AUSTIN, TX — To support getting Central Texans back to work, Austin Community College District has launched deep tuition discounts for 12 fast-track programs in the highest-demand sectors in the region, including health care, IT, and skilled trades, officials announced Wednesday

Offered through the college’s Continuing Education Division (CE), Austin Community College’s entry-level fast-track programs provide students skills training and credentials to enter a new career field — most in just three months. Between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31, Austin Community College students pay just 50 percent of tuition for all courses in these programs.

“When COVID-19 hit our region, our community took a hit," Austin Community College Chancellor Dr. Richard Rhodes said in a prepared statement. "Thousands of people lost their jobs, many others were furloughed. We knew we had to find ways to help get Central Texans back to work. Cutting tuition for the most in-demand fast-track programs helps not only those who lost their jobs but also local businesses and industries. We’re growing and accelerating programs that provide students the right skill sets for today’s jobs. Our goal is to rebuild our community and relieve some of the pressures students are facing.”

According to a recent poll by Strada Education Network’s Center for Consumer Insights, school officials noted, 20 percent of Americans plan to enroll in an educational program in the next six months. Skills training tops the list of preferred education at 37 percent, officials added.

“Our goal is to rapidly re-employ the unemployed," Dr. Hector Aguilar, CE dean, said in a prepared statement. "ACC is more than prepared to expand offerings in person, online, and in hybrid formats to meet all students’ unique needs. We are ready to adjust to find ways to accommodate anyone who wants to apply. We are focusing on programs that are hiring right now. It is crucial that we offer the right certifications and connect students with jobs.”

Fast-Track Training Programs with 50 Percent Discount

1. Accounting & Bookkeeping
2. Administrative Assistant
3. Certified Nurse Aide
4. Certified Production Technician
5. Dental Assistant
6. HVAC
7. Medical Assistant
8. Medical Billing & Coding
9. Medical Office Support
10. PC Technician
11. Phlebotomy Technician
12. Welding

Students who enroll in an eligible program by Dec. 31 will receive this discount through the duration of the program. The college also partners with Workforce Solutions Capital and Rural Capital to connect students with jobs that are available now.

Austin Community College offers more than 60 fast-track options for non- and for-credit certificates. Students who want to stay on track to advance in their careers can continue on at ACC with more fast-track training options that can lead to an associate degree.

For more information, about all fast-track options at ACC, visit austincc.edu/fasttrack.

About Austin Community College

Austin Community College is a nationally recognized two-year college serving Central Texas. ACC is focused on student success and providing affordable, flexible pathways to help students reach their education goals, learn new job skills, or advance their career. The college currently enrolls more than 70,000 students annually.