Start College with Free Minds

Start College with Free Minds

Hi there, Parents and Guardians of Lee students—

If you’ve been thinking about returning to school, either to pursue a degree or to explore your intellectual potential, here’s a chance for you to do that for free! Free Minds offers a two-semester college course in humanities for adults who want to begin a new chapter in their lives. Applications are available now and are due July 7. 

Free Minds offers a supportive environment for nontraditional students. Classes are held in the evenings in Central Austin, beginning in August and ending in May. Tuition, books, and support services are provided free of charge, and child care is available. Faculty from UT and ACC lead classes in literature, philosophy, history, and writing. Students who complete the course earn six credit hours from ACC.

Many Free Minds students are parents who aim to model the importance of higher education for their children; a sizable portion of Free Minds students have gone on to pursue degrees at schools, including ACC, Concordia, and St. Edward’s. If you think you’re ready to make a fresh start in the classroom, please consider applying.

You are eligible if you:

1.    Are at least 18 years old

2.    Have a high school diploma or GED

3.    Don’t have a college degree and haven’t been enrolled in a degree program in the past two years

4.    Have demonstrated financial need (income no more than $23,340, if living alone, or $47,700 if living in a family of four)

5.    Possess the ability to read challenging books in English

6.    Ready to commit to attending class regularly and complete all assignments

For more information or to download an application, visit the Free Minds website at freemindsaustin.org, write to us at FreeMinds@foundcom.org or call 512-610-7961.

"This intellectual awakening has changed how I view myself, my place in the community and in the world. It is especially exciting to be able to share this new view with my children." —Abbie Navarrete, Free Minds graduate 2007, ACC graduate 2010