Thanks for your interest in the Dallas County Promise! Review our full list of frequently asked questions for answers we hear often below. For information specifically about our partner colleges and universities, download and review the policy document.
Have a question that's not on the FAQ list? Reach out to the Dallas County Promise team at [email protected].
For a detailed look at the Dallas County Promise Policies and Procedures, please email us [email protected]. This document includes program information and details about our partner offers, requirements, and much more. To access prior Dallas County Promise policies and procedures, please email us.
Policies may be subject to change without notice. It is each individual's responsibility to refer to the policies as posted here for updates and changes to the Promise program. If you have additional questions that are not covered in this policy document or answered below, please email [email protected].
All partner colleges and universities have sent tuition grant eligibility notifications to students who met the requirements.
Students who did not meet eligibility for this grant do not receive a notice of ineligibility. Please contact the partner college or university Office of Admission or Financial Aid to inquire which eligibility requirement was not met. The Dallas County Promise team does not handle a student's admission or financial aid applications.
Please check the email address listed on your Promise Path (unless you have updated your email address via a text or email request throughout the year and received confirmation). Also check your spam and junk folders.
The Dallas County Promise tuition grant notification is simply alerting you that you are eligible to receive tuition coverage at that specific partner university. It does not mean you are obligated to attend this Promise partner. You also cannot "change" grant eligibility from one partner to another given the unique eligibility criteria and deadlines. You will only receive the grant if you follow the steps outlined in the notification to successfully register for Fall 2026 courses.
No, the Dallas County Promise last-dollar tuition grant only covers the gap in the cost of tuition not covered by your financial aid (need-based aid + scholarships). This tuition grant does not cover fees, housing, meals, transportation, or other costs.
Please contact the partner college or university Office of Admission or Financial Aid to inquire which eligibility requirement was not met. The Dallas County Promise team does not handle a student's admission or financial aid applications.
If a student chooses to "claim" the Dallas County Promise last-dollar tuition grant, the student must successfully enroll to begin Fall 2026 classes by August 5, 2026. Completing the enrollment process, also called "registering for classes" can include several action items: orientation, academic advising, final HS transcript, immunization records, etc. The Dallas County Promise cannot guarantee that a student who enrolls after August 5th will receive the Dallas County Promise tuition grant.
No, students cannot transfer eligibility for this grant to another partner and non-partner college or university.
Each partner college and university uses varying naming conventions for this tuition grant. Ultimately, a student's cost of tuition will be covered through a combination of grants and/or scholarships. This situation can be reflected by a combination of federal and/or state grants [PELL, TEXAS, etc.], institutional scholarships, and/or named grants. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid to verify how your Dallas County Promise tuition grant will appear and be applied to your tuition bill.
No. Students are only eligible to apply for the Dallas County Promise tuition grant at the year of high school graduation. However, students are encouraged to explore additional financial aid opportunities including submitting a financial aid application each year.
The Dallas County Promise is more than just a grant. The Promise is a program to reduce financial barriers and support students to succeed in college, careers, and life with a commitment to securing a rewarding job in their career pathway.
The Promise is available to all participating Promise high school graduates at more than 82 participating high schools across 12 school districts. Eligible graduates have the opportunity to earn a last-dollar grant that will cover any gap between what a student's state and federal financial aid cover and the cost of tuition at a Promise Partner college.
Promise Scholars also have access to a dedicated student supports and transfer grants at Promise partner colleges and universities.
The Dallas County Promise grant pays any balance of tuition not covered by federal or state financial aid at participating Promise partner colleges.
Dallas County Promise Partner colleges and universities provide financial aid and support services for Promise Scholars. Offers vary by institution and whether or not a student is graduating from high school with an associate degree. For more details on the direct and transfer scholarship offers, visit the Promise Partner College page.
The Dallas County Promise scholarship can only be applied at participating Promise partner colleges and universities. However, completing the Promise Pledge does NOT commit you to attending a Promise partner college or university.
Transfer scholarships are available to various Partner colleges and universities. Students who complete an associate degree in high school may be eligible to use their Dallas County Promise tuition grants at The University of North Texas at Dallas, Texas Woman's University, Midwestern State, Texas A&M University – Commerce, University of North Texas, and The University of Texas at Arlington are Promise directly following high school if they meet a partner's posted requirements and deadlines.
We actively encourage students to submit a financial aid application to each college or university of their interest for federal and state financial aid grants or loan opportunities. Students can also seek institution scholarships at each college or university they apply to. Outside scholarships (also known as "third party" scholarships" are offered locally and nationwide.
Each participating Dallas County Promise campus is either a TEA-approved Early College High School co-sponsored by Dallas College; a co-sponsor of a Collegiate Academy; or submitted college and career readiness plans and commitments through a process developed in partnership with area school districts, the Dallas County Community College District, and Jobs for the Future, to help ensure all students are on a college- and career-ready pathway to success.
For more information on becoming a Promise high school, contact [email protected].
Students may enroll in either college credit courses or select workforce training certificate programs through continuing education. Promise Scholars may also use their Dallas County Promise last-dollar tuition scholarship towards the completion of developmental classes.
Please refer any questions to your academic advisor to ensure courses selected can be covered by the Dallas County Promise.
Promise scholarship funding can only be applied towards your first degree. Students who graduate with an Associate degree from high school may not use Promise scholarship funding to attend Dallas College to complete an additional associate degree or Workforce Training Certificate. Students graduating high school with an Associate degree can only continue at Dallas College if they are pursuing the Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching, which is covered under Promise.
The University of North Texas at Dallas, Texas Woman's University, Midwestern State, Texas A&M University – Commerce, University of North Texas, and The University of Texas at Arlington are Promise options for students completing Associate degrees in high school.
We are actively engaging with other colleges and universities to form new scholarship opportunities for Promise Scholars. Any new college or university offers through the Dallas County Promise program will be shared on our website and through direct student and parent communication. For more details on the current scholarship offers, visit the Promise Partner College page.
For more information on becoming a Promise college or university partner, contact [email protected].
Eligible graduates from a participating Promise high school who have attended a participating Promise high school for their full senior year can apply to receive the Dallas County Promise grant by meeting all Dallas County Promise deadlines for the Path form, admission application, financial aid application, and registration. Please refer to the participating college list for any college-specific requirements.
Yes, all graduating seniors from participating high schools who meet all Dallas County Promise deadlines and in-state residency requirements are eligible to receive the Dallas County Promise last-dollar tuition scholarship.
For most of our college and university partners, there is no cap on the number of graduates that can receive the Promise gap funding. Southern Methodist University has a limit on the number of students that can receive the Dallas County Promise grant. For specific requirements and eligibility by school, please refer to our partner college and university page.
No. However, all incoming Dallas College students must meet the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative to take college-level courses.
For students who do not meet TSI requirements, Dallas County Promise can be used to cover the cost of developmental courses. Learn more about TSI requirements.
For most of our college and university partners, there is no cap on the number of graduates that can receive the Promise gap funding. Some partners have a limit on the number of students that can receive the Dallas County Promise scholarship, including The University of North Texas, Southern Methodist University, and Austin College.
For specific requirements and eligibility by school, please refer to our partner college and university page.
It depends on the level of the infraction. Dallas County Promise follows the same eligibility requirements for students with a criminal record as the federal Pell grant.
For the maximum number of credit hours a student can take per year under Promise, please reach out to the partner(s) of your choice using the contact information provided on our partner college and university page.
To be eligible, students must have been enrolled in a participating high school as of November 1 and graduate from a participating high school during that same academic year.
Yes. Dual-credit students are still eligible to receive Promise scholarship funding to complete the balance of hours needed for an associate degree.
Students who finish an associate degree in high school are eligible to apply for a scholarship to The University of North Texas at Dallas, Texas Woman's University, Midwestern State, Texas A&M University – Commerce, University of North Texas, or The University of Texas at Arlington.
These students should complete an admission application in their senior year of high school and list this Promise partner university on their FAFSA/TASFA in their senior year of high school.
Students must graduate between August 1, 2023 and July 30, 2024 to be eligible for Promise in Fall 2024. Therefore, students graduating early are able to participate in the Dallas County Promise.
However, Promise funding does not begin until the fall semester following high school graduation.
Students who have not met Texas residency requirements, including students classified as international or out-of-country students, are not eligible for the Dallas County Promise scholarship.
Students who have questions regarding their eligibility for in-district or in-state residency status for tuition purposes should visit their college admissions office.
No. Students who enter the Promise Program and sit out for one long semester (fall or spring), must complete an appeal form if they fail to enroll each fall and spring semester. Appeals for renewal are completed through the Promise Partner college or university.
Not all partners have an appeal process, and the submission of an appeal (also known at some partners as a "petition") is not a guarantee that it will be approved.
For more information on appeals, please reach out to the partner(s) of your choice using the contact information provided on our partner college and university page.
To complete a 2024-2026 FAFSA/TASFA, students will need 2022 tax information for themselves and parents that worked in 2022. If the student and/or parents have not filed their 2022 taxes, they should consider filing the appropriate tax forms as soon as possible to ensure the student is able to complete a financial aid application.
Visit with a tax service professional for further details on filing the appropriate tax forms.
No. There is not a household limit on the number of students eligible for the Dallas County Promise scholarship program.
To be eligible to receive the Dallas County Promise, high school graduates must meet three key steps:
For deadlines and requirements by partner, please visit the Promise Partner College page.
The Dallas County Promise Path form is due by February 5 for all students (and earlier for certain partners). You will need your full name, date of birth, address, email address, cell phone number, and parent/guardian contact information.
In order to take advantage of the Dallas County Promise scholarship, Promise Scholars must start classes the fall semester after graduation.
To continue to receive the Dallas County Promise scholarship, scholars must meet the cumulative GPA (and Satisfactory Academic Progress requirement each semester, take a minimum number of credit hours over the course of each year, and complete their FAFSA/TASFA each year by the partner's deadline.
Please see the Dallas County Promise policy document linked at the top of the page for more details.
All Promise information will be sent to the email and phone number you list on your Dallas County Promise Path form. If your contact information changes, please let us know by emailing [email protected] and include your full name and HS student ID.
Students must complete an appeal form if they become ineligible or are suspended from the Dallas County Promise Program. Appeals for renewal are completed through the Promise Partner college or university.
Not all partners have an appeal process, and the submission of an appeal (also known at some partners as a "petition") is not a guarantee that it will be approved. For more information on appeals, please reach out to the partner(s) of your choice using the contact information provided on our partner college and university page.
The Dallas County Promise scholarship can only be used at participating Promise partner colleges and universities.
No. Submitting the Dallas County Promise Path form provides the opportunity to attend a partner college with tuition gap funding, but the Path form does not obligate a student to attend that college if they choose not to.
No. Dallas County Promise staff will never share student information, including residency and citizenship status, with outside organizations or community members. Student information is shared with Promise partner colleges and universities that the student has indicated an interest in for the sole purpose of supporting student success.
Each Promise partner college has credit hour requirements for Promise Scholars. For more information on minimum credit hour requirements, please reach out to the partner(s) of your choice using the contact information provided on our partner college and university page.
For transfer acceptance, Promise Scholars must submit a transfer student application and a financial aid application (FAFSA or TASFA) to the intended university during their final year at Dallas College. Each Promise partner college has transfer requirements and deadlines to be eligible for continuing the Dallas County Promise scholarship.
We understand the college enrollment process can be confusing, particularly for first-generation students and their families, but you are not alone!
The Dallas County Promise team is here to help guide you through the scholarship process and requirements. Each high school has dedicated staff, such as a college advisor or graduation coach, to support their current students in exploring college, military, and workforce options after graduation.
Each college also has dedicated staff in their admissions, financial aid, and other student services offices to support incoming students. Start exploring college and career options with your student, and reach out to us at [email protected] anytime you have questions!
The Dallas County Promise scholarship is funded directly by each Promise partner college and university. Each partner college and university defines their grant offer and selection criteria depending on the size of the institution and financial aid funds available.
Dallas County Promise offers a last-dollar grant, which means it will cover the gap between what classes cost and what Pell grants and other federal and state grants cover. Therefore, students are required to submit their financial aid applications (FAFSA or TASFA) by the posted deadlines.
Some students may also be asked to verify their FAFSA/TASFA information. If you are asked for verification, you must provide the necessary documentation to ensure timely funding. Funds will not be paid until the college determines that the verification process is complete.
Yes, developmental classes are covered by Dallas County Promise.
Yes. For more information on the types of classes and credentials covered by Promise, please reach out to the partner(s) of your choice using the contact information provided on our partner college and university page.
Promise Scholars will never directly receive cash from Dallas County Promise. Once a Promise Scholar's state and federal financial aid have been applied, the partner college will fund the gap with the dollars they've set aside for their Promise grants. You can expect any Promise funds to be credited to your account after the 12th class day for the majority of our partners.
Even with the Dallas County Promise last-dollar tuition grant, there are other college costs you should budget for, including supplies, transportation, rent, and food. If you receive federal or state financial aid or additional scholarships, you can use these dollars towards your overall costs.
It is possible to use other scholarship funds towards your overall costs as a Promise Scholar. However, there are scenarios where your outside scholarship would not be able to be used, such as if the outside scholarship is designated to only be used towards the cost of tuition.
Reach out to your intended college's financial aid office for further details using the contact information provided on our partner college and university page.
Online classes that are included in a credit program or approved non-credit continuing education program are eligible for Promise gap funding. Some programs require students to attend in-person courses.
Reach out to your intended college's admission office for further details using the contact information provided on our partner college and university page.
Yes! If your federal and/or state financial aid fully covers your tuition costs, you will still receive the other benefits of being a Promise Scholar, including access to dedicated student supports at the college or university you attend and to transfer opportunities from Dallas College.
