Opening Doors Promise Scholarship

Students at commencement showing view of all graduation hats

The Opening Doors Promise Scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship opportunity that covers 100 percent of tuition and mandatory course fees for up to two full years at College of the Mainland. Available to eligible graduating high school seniors from our local communities, this program allows you to complete an associate degree or a technical workforce certificate program with absolutely zero tuition costs.

How the Funding Works

The Promise Scholarship is a "last-dollar" framework designed to fill the financial gap after all other funding options are utilized:

  • Apply Other Aid First: Students must complete the FAFSA or TASFA. Any federal grants, state grants, or institutional scholarships are applied to your tuition balance first.
  • Promise Covers the Rest: If your financial aid does not completely cover your tuition and related course fees, the Promise Scholarship steps in to pay the remaining balance.
  • Guaranteed Gap Coverage: Even if you do not qualify for any federal or state financial aid, the Promise Scholarship will still pay 100 percent of your tuition and fees—provided you satisfy all baseline eligibility criteria.
  • What is Excluded: Please note that Promise funds do not cover the cost of textbooks, personal school supplies, or specialized course tools.
  • Where Funding Originates: This program is not funded by state tax dollars or government agencies. It is made possible entirely through private donations and community philanthropy secured by the COM Foundation. Because of this model, scholarship awards are contingent upon available funding volumes each year.

Eligibility

There are absolutely no family income caps or high school GPA minimums required to qualify for initial selection. To maintain your funding after your first year at COM, you must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA and remain in good standing.

You must be a Class of 2026 high school graduate. This applies to graduates earning an official diploma from an eligible public school district, charter school, private school, home school framework, or a verified GED program (GED students must be between 17 and 19 years old). You must live within a participating community and graduate from an approved high school within these regional boundaries:

  • Texas City ISD
  • La Marque (Texas City ISD)
  • Dickinson
  • Hitchcock ISD
  • Santa Fe ISD (Note: Santa Fe Promise awards are limited and distributed on a strict first-come, first-served basis.)

Steps to Secure Your Promise Scholarship

To ensure your scholarship is approved and applied to your account before class registration balances are due, complete the following application phases:

Apply for Admission to COM

Complete via ApplyTexas
Submit your official application for admission online through the ApplyTexas portal and choose "College of the Mainland" as your target campus.

Submit Your FAFSA or TASFA

Priority Recommended Date: June 1
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA). Be sure to list "College of the Mainland" or enter our official school code 007096 on your application layout.

Enroll in a Full-Time Course Load

Target Fall Semesters
Register as a full-time student at COM for the Fall 2026 term (selecting courses within Fall Session 1 or Session 2). To maintain compliance, you must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours by the end of your first summer term.

Frequently Asked Questions

June 1 is our priority processing date to ensure your financial documentation is fully reviewed before the Fall semester begins. Submitting your forms by this date prevents unexpected delays and ensures your Promise funds are credited directly to your account before tuition deadlines arrive, saving you from paying out of pocket.
There is no separate, independent application form required. Simply complete your ApplyTexas application, submit your FAFSA or TASFA to COM, and enroll in your Fall courses. Our systems automatically evaluate your files against the eligibility matrix and apply the Promise designation to your account.
Yes. Applications are accepted after July 1 has elapsed. However, because processing times vary, you may be required to pay your tuition balance out of pocket up front to secure your course schedule, receiving an official institutional reimbursement check once your Promise eligibility is validated.

Need Help with the Promise Scholarship?

Connect with our dedicated tracking specialist to check your boundary eligibility or application file status.
409-933-8508
Student outside carrying books and making a call on their cell phone.