The Gatehouse gives a hand up to single mom Dallas College students completing their degrees.
The Gatehouse Education Track helps with the support you need to complete your education without the added stress of a job to pay for housing, utilities, and childcare.
The Gatehouse gives a hand up to single mom Dallas College students
completing their degrees.
The Gatehouse Education Track helps with the support you need to complete your education without the added stress of a job to pay for housing, utilities, and childcare.
In the Education Track, you will:
Excel in School
Go to school full-time (no breaks between semesters) and maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA.
Complete Your Degree
Complete all/remaining degree requirements within 24 months.
Achieve Your Goals
Address barriers and set goals through your Personal Empowerment Plan with the support of The Gatehouse Team.
Build Your Skills
Participate in all Gatehouse Program requirements, including weekly coaching sessions, skills classes and groups, and following Community Safety Rules.
Engage Your Kids
Ensure your children are fully engaged in the Student Enrichment Program.
Preschool-aged children attend full-time childcare at our early learning childcare academy and school-age children attend Grapevine ISD schools.
LEARN IF YOU QUALIFY AND APPLY NOW
The Gatehouse Program Benefits
- A fully furnished rent-free residence with ample parking and 24/7 security at our gated community in Grapevine, Texas (living on our campus is required while in our Program)
- Access to large playground, sport court and stocked fishing pond
- Resources, such as childcare, legal assistance, basic medical care, basic car repairs, counseling and more
- A monthly stipend to help offset other expenses you may have
- Support from a team of experts who strategize with you and encourage you as you work toward your long-term goals and prepare for your career
The Gatehouse Program Benefits
- A fully furnished, rent-free spacious apartment at our gated campus in Grapevine, Texas with ample parking, 24/7 security (living on our campus is required while in our program)
- Access to large playground, sport court and stocked fishing pond
- Resources, such as childcare, legal assistance, basic medical care, basic car repairs, counseling and more
- A monthly stipend to help offset other expenses you may have
- Support from a team of experts who strategize with you and encourage you as you work toward your long-term goals and prepare for your career
Please note: You must meet ALL of the minimum eligibility requirements listed in the “How to Qualify” section below for your application to be considered.
How to Qualify
Education Track Goals
Application Process
How to Qualify
To be considered, you must meet ALL of these minimum requirements:
- Single mother 21 or older (single or in the process of becoming single)
- US Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Live in the DFW Metroplex (see FAQs for list of qualifying counties)
- Have dependent children living with you at least part-time (at least 1 year old and up to a senior in high school; you must have legal custody and they must be eligible to live in Tarrant County)
- Currently enrolled in college (must be admitted to a qualified associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree program at an approved institution, with priority given to healthcare or teaching degrees – see FAQs for more information)
- Within 2 years of graduating from your degree program
- Have at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA
- Have proof of a current FAFSA application/approval
- Able to go to school full-time (uninterrupted ability to complete your degree, for example, not actively on disability or workman’s compensation, retired or pregnant)
- Able to provide a career plan (explain how your degree will help you reach your career goals)
- No active addictions and sustained sobriety for at least 3 years (including no smoking, vaping or tobacco use)
- Have a working and reliable vehicle
- Have a valid driver’s license
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee admissions but if you don’t meet them all, you will not be considered for admissions.
Education Track Goals
What fully engaged Education Track Members should be able to achieve by graduation:
- Successfully completed your undergraduate or master’s degree
- Started a full-time job in your desired career path (or will lead to a job in your desired career path), with the potential for advancement
- On track to earn a family-sustaining wage
- Know how to create and manage a budget to eliminate debt, build savings and maintain a strong credit score
- Developed the skills to manage emotional and spiritual health
- Developed the skills to manage household rhythm and established a positive parenting style
- Established a healthy community within and outside of The Gatehouse
Application Process
Acceptance into The Gatehouse Program is a selective process:
- If you are enrolled at Parker University or The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), contact your school advisor to learn more and see if you qualify.
- Your program and school must meet the qualification criteria (see FAQs for details).
- Meeting these minimum eligibility requirements and submitting an Eligibility Form ensures you will be considered but does not guarantee an invitation to apply, an interview or admissions to The Gatehouse.
- Applicants will receive a response within 2 to 3 weeks of submitting an Eligibility Form.
- When we invite an applicant to apply, the process can take up to 8 weeks, depending on how completely and quickly the applicant returns the required information (the application process is a multi-step process that includes a background check and interview).
- This is a competitive application process so being invited to apply or interview does not guarantee you be accepted into our Program.
- The number of grants awarded each application period will be based on space availability. Applicants submitted by a partner school completing undergraduate degrees will receive priority.
- Because there are many factors in admissions decisions, if you are not selected for our Program, we will not disclose or discuss reasons with you or your school.
Education Track FAQ
Have questions about our Education Track? Get answers to some of the questions most frequently asked.
Does my program and school qualify?
Qualified programs and approved institutions must meet all of the following criteria:
- You are completing a qualified associates, bachelor’s or master’s degree program from a partner school (currently Parker University, Texas Woman’s University and The University of Texas at Arlington – click here to see qualified degrees or contact your school Advisor) OR another qualified university or college with a physical campus located in the DFW Metroplex
- The college or university must be regionally accredited (credits and degrees from schools without regional accreditation are not as likely to transfer)
- If applicable, the degree program must have programmatic accreditation recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and/or the Department of Education (diploma programs do not qualify for the Education Track).
What does “fully admitted” mean?
This refers to a student being fully admitted into their degree major (completed applicable admission tests, qualified for core curriculum, etc.). This requirement is specific to certain degrees (such as Nursing) that require separate admission once pre-requisites have been completed.
If I haven’t started school yet, but have been accepted, am I still eligible?
Yes. Applicants who have been accepted are eligible to apply during the application period immediately preceding their anticipated starting semester. If an application is approved, proof of enrollment and class schedule will be required prior to move-in date.
Am I required to qualify for FAFSA to be considered for admissions?
After you submit the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report that will include your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is the amount of money the government calculates that your family can contribute to college costs. Your EFC determines how much financial aid you are eligible to receive. Students do not need to qualify to receive student loans to be eligible for the Gatehouse Education Success Grant. However, Gatehouse does not assist with tuition costs.
Can I take classes online and still qualify?
Yes, if the classes meet the criteria for this program.
Do I have to have children to qualify?
Yes. While there is not a maximum number of children, it is up to the applicant to provide a career plan showing how completion of her degree program will lead to reaching a sustainable wage for her family size. Children must be between the ages of one year old and up to a senior in high school, and you must have legal custody of your children and your children must be eligible to live in Tarrant County. For more information on living wage per family size in Tarrant County, click here.
Do my children need to be living with me to qualify?
Yes. It is up to the applicant to provide a career plan showing how completion of her degree program will lead to reaching a sustainable wage for her family size. Children must be between the ages of one year old and up to a senior in high school, and you must have legal custody of your children and your children must be eligible to live in Tarrant County. For more information on living wage per family size in Tarrant County, click here.
How do I know if I qualify as a DFW resident?
If you currently live in one of the following counties, you can be considered for admissions into our Program:
Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Fannin, Grayson, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant or Wise counties.
How much is the monthly stipend?
Stipend amounts will vary based on family size, semester timeline, and student status. More information will be provided to Education Track Members upon move-in.
Do you offer tours of the apartments prior to applying?
No, we do not offer personal tours. However, we will provide a tour for admitted applicants.
Do I have to reapply every year?
No. Applicants admitted into our Program are provided with a Program timeline upon move-in. As long as a Member is meeting program requirements and following community safety rules, eligibility for our Program is maintained.
No, we do not allow pets, Emotional Support Animals (ESA), or therapy animals. However, service animals as defined by Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines are permitted. Under the ADA service animal provisions, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do specific work or perform specific tasks for an individual with a disability. The animal must be trained to take a specific action when needed to assist the person with a disability and the task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. Animals that provide emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals are not considered service animals under the ADA.
Is public transportation available to Members of The Gatehouse?
Because Grapevine has limited public transportation options, it is the responsibility of the Member to possess or obtain her own vehicle.
Am I able to homeschool my child while at The Gatehouse?
All children are required to attend school and/or full-time daycare outside of the apartment. The Gatehouse is located within the GCISD (Grapevine-Colleyville) school district. For daycare and after-school care, childcare is provided through our early learning academy partner.