Promise Program

No Tuition. Like, For Real. Because you have promise

En Español

Do you live in Texas City, La Marque, Hitchcock or Santa Fe? Will you be graduating in the Class of 2026?

If your answer is yes, now is the time to get your future off to a promising start with tuition-free college through the Opening Doors Promise Scholarship at College of the Mainland!

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What is the Opening Doors Promise Scholarship?

The Opening Doors Promise Scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship that covers 100% of tuition and fees for up to two years—after any federal, state, or other scholarships are applied—for eligible high school graduates from Texas City, La Marque, Hitchcock, or Santa Fe who enroll full-time at College of the Mainland.

Through the Promise Scholarship, students can pursue an associate degree or complete a workforce training certificate — all tuition-free.

How Does Funding Work?

To receive the Promise Scholarship, students must complete the FAFSA or TASFA and apply any available federal or state aid first.

If that aid doesn't cover your full tuition and course fees, Promise funds step in to cover the remaining balance. Even if you don't qualify for any aid or other scholarships, Promise will still cover 100% of your tuition and course fees—as long as you meet eligibility requirements.

How Financial Aid is Applied

1st — Federal and/or State grants

2nd — Other Scholarships

3rd — Promise Scholarship*

* Funds will be applied to your balance and will not be paid to you directly.

What Does it Cover?

  • Remaining tuition & fees (after scholarships, state or federal aid has been applied) for up to two years or completion of a degree at College of the Mainland
  • Related course fees
  • Available for both academic and workforce training programs
  • Promise does not cover the cost of textbooks or supplies

Where Does the Money Come From?

The Promise Scholarship is not funded by the state or federal government. Instead, it's made possible by generous public donations and private philanthropy secured by the COM Foundation.

General obligation bond funds approved by voters are restricted to construction and infrastructure projects—they cannot be used for student scholarships by law. That's why outside contributions are critical to keeping Promise alive for future students.

Because Promise is supported by donations—not guaranteed government funds—scholarship awards are contingent on available funding each year. While COM strives to support as many students as possible, the number of awards may vary depending on the contributions received.

Meet our Promise Donors

Portrait of a promise student with his mom outside.

Eligibility

  • Live in a participating community
  • Be a Class of 2026 high school graduate
  • Must have earned a high school diploma from an eligible school district, charter school, private school, home school or GED
  • GED students must be between the ages of 17-19
  • There is no income or high school GPA requirement
  • Apply and enroll at COM full-time for fall 2026 (starting fall session 1 or 2) and complete 24 credit hours by the end of the summer term
  • Complete a FAFSA (or TASFA) application and maintain good academic standing
  • After your first year at COM, you must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA

Make the Choice That's Right for You

From modern classrooms and hands-on labs to personalized student support, College of the Mainland offers a college experience that's close to home—and focused on your future. With dozens of in-demand career paths, COM is here to help you achieve your goals.

Take the first step toward a tuition-free education - complete the steps for the Opening Doors Promise Scholarship today!

Participating Communities

  • Texas City
  • La Marque
  • Hitchcock
  • Santa Fe*

* Santa Fe Promise Scholarships are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Must graduate from Santa Fe High School.

What Our Promise Scholars Are Saying

Steps to Apply as a Promise Scholarship Student

Complete these simple steps to unlock your promising future:

Step 1: Apply to COM

Apply for admission through ApplyTexas and choose "College of the Mainland."

Step 2: Apply for Financial Aid

Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA). List "College of the Mainland" or enter code 007096 on your application.

Step 3: Enroll Full Time

Enroll at COM full-time for fall 2026 (starting fall session 1 or 2) and complete 24 credit hours by the end of the summer term.

Any Combination to Achieve 24 Hours

Fall 2025 (16 Weeks)*

* Must enroll in one of the Fall Sessions.

Session 1

Course 1 (3 hours)
Course 2 (3 hours)
Total = 6 hours

Session 2

Course 1 (3 hours)
Course 2 (3 hours)
Total = 6 hours

Spring 2026 (16 Weeks)

Session 1

Course 1 (3 hours)
Course 2 (3 hours)
Total = 6 hours

Session 2

Course 1 (3 hours)
Course 2 (3 hours)
Total = 6 hours

Summer 2026 (5 & 10 Weeks)

Course 1 (3 hours)
Course 2 (3 hours)
Total = 6 hours

Any Combination to Achieve 24 Hours

Fall 6 or 12
Hours
+
Spring 6 or 12
Hours
+
Summer 6 or 12
Hours
=
24 Hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is June 1 the recommended FAFSA date?

June 1 is the priority FAFSA deadline to ensure your financial aid is processed in time for the fall semester. Submitting by this date helps avoid delays and ensures your Promise Scholarship can be applied before tuition is due, so you won’t have to pay out of pocket or wait for reimbursement.

How do I apply for the Promise Scholarship?

To apply for the Promise Scholarship, simply submit your FAFSA or TASFA, complete the Apply Texas application for COM and register for Fall classes.  Once we receive your information, we'll take it from there.

Can I apply for Promise after July 1?

Yes!  Applications are accepted after July 1; however, you may need to pay tuition up front and receive reimbursement once your Promise eligibility is approved.

Can I use the scholarship for part-time classes?

Students can be enrolled part-time as long as they complete 24 credit hours by the end of the summer term.

Do I need to apply for the Promise Scholarship in the fall immediately after high school graduation?

High school graduates are encouraged to apply for the Promise Scholarship and enroll full-time in fall classes immediately after graduating; however, the flexible COM 8-Week Advantage allows students to begin in the second 8-week session of the fall semester and still be considered first-time, full-time students.

What does last-dollar scholarship mean?

A last-dollar scholarship covers any remaining tuition and fees after other grants and scholarships (for example, Pell Grants) are applied, ensuring students pay nothing out of pocket.

Does the Promise Scholarship cover books?

While books aren’t included, Pell Grant recipients can use their aid for textbooks and supplies.

Is there a GPA requirement to apply?

No GPA is required to apply. To continue into the second year, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA.

Have Questions?

We're here to help.

Contact:
Anne Dickens
Director, Dual Credit
409-933-8679
promise@com.edu

Thank You to Our Donors

  • Anonymous Donor
  • Associated Credit Union of Texas
  • Del Papa Distributing Company
  • Hitchcock Economic Development
  • Hitchcock I.S.D. Education
  • Kathleen Cailloux Foundation
  • Texas City Economic Development
  • The City of Santa Fe

Want to help more students open the door to higher education? Support the COM Foundation.

Female advisor pointing at you.

Congratulations, you're off to a promising start!

Request Info

We want to hear from you! Submit our contact form if you have a question or would like more information about the Promise Program at COM.

Anne Dickens

Director, Dual Credit

409-933-8679

promise@com.edu

 

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