Low community college tuition is the best form of financial aid for students in Texas. DCCCD, with the support of its board of trustees, does its part: we offer the fourth-lowest tuition rates among all community colleges in Texas ($39 per credit hour, effective January 2007). We know the value of higher education, and we also are acutely aware of the cost to our students and our local taxpayers. The state must support increased base funding and invest in the state’s financial aid programs so that community colleges like DCCCD can remain affordable and maintain efficiency. 

Students enrolled at community colleges have the greatest unmet financial need of any sector of higher education. In 2005, community college students accounted for more than 46 percent of the total state enrollment, yet they received only 11 percent of the total amount of state financial aid funding. 
 
The Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program is an existing tool that targets community college students who currently are underserved by state financial aid programs. Funding for this program should be increased from the current $9 million biennially to $50 million per biennium to enhance affordability.