EDUCATION TRACK
A hand up for single mom students completing their undergraduate or master’s degree.
About the Education Track
If you’re a single mom enrolled in a qualified healthcare or teaching undergraduate or master’s degree program* with a physical campus in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the Education Track can help you can focus full-time on completing your education without the added stress of a full-time job to pay for housing, utilities, and childcare.
*If you are enrolled at one of our partner schools, Parker University, Texas Woman’s University (TWU) or The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), other degree programs may qualify. Click here to see a list of qualified degree programs at our partner schools or contact your school Advisor to see if your degree program qualifies.
While completing your education, you’ll receive:
- A fully furnished rent-free spacious apartment for you and your children on our gated campus in Grapevine, Texas with ample parking and 24/7 security
- Large playground, sport court and stocked fishing pond
- Outdoor grilling and picnic areas
- Resources, such as childcare, legal assistance, basic medical care, counseling and more
- A monthly stipend to help offset other expenses you may have
- A team of experts who strategize with you and encourage you as you work toward your long-term goals and prepare for your career

Excel in School
Go to school full-time (no full-time outside employment permitted or 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

Engage Your Kids
Ensure your children are fully engaged in the Family Life Program, including attending counseling sessions, if applicable for your family and eligible children.
*Please note that school-age children will attend Grapevine ISD schools.



Minimum Requirements
To be considered for admissions, you must meet ALL of the following requirements:
- You are a single mother 21 years or older with dependent children (at least 1 year old and up to a senior in high school and must be eligible to live in Tarrant County)
- You are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and currently living in the DFW metroplex (see FAQs for more information about qualifying counties)
- You are within 2 years of graduation or completing a healthcare or teaching undergraduate or master’s degree program (see FAQs for more information about other degree programs that may qualify at our partner schools)
- You are enrolled in a qualified healthcare or teaching undergraduate or master’s degree program at an approved institution with a cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0 (see FAQs to see if your program and school qualifies)
- You have proof of current FAFSA application/approval
- You are able to provide a career plan that explains how the degree will be instrumental in reaching your career goals
- You have no active addictions with sustained sobriety for at least the last three years (including no smoking, vaping, or tobacco use)
- You can provide a valid Texas driver’s license and have a reliable vehicle
Please note: You need to meet ALL of the Minimum Eligibility Requirements listed above for your application to be considered.
Education Track Goals
What fully engaged Education Track Members should be able to achieve by graduation:
- Successfully completed your healthcare or teaching 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 community
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 4 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 includes an application, background check, interview and drug screening).
- This is a competitive application process so being invited to apply or interview does not guarantee a grant will be awarded.
- 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.
Qualified programs and approved institutions must meet all of the following criteria:
- A partner college or university qualified degree program (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 must be a university or college with a physical campus located in the DFW Metroplex
- The college or university must be regionally accredited
- If applicable, the degree program must have programmatic accreditation recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and/or the Department of Education
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.
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.
Yes, 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.
Yes, if the classes meet the criteria for this program.
Yes. While there is not a maximum 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 have to be between the ages of one year old and up to a senior in high school, and must be eligible to live in Tarrant County. For more information on living wage per family size in Tarrant County, click here.
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 must be eligible to live in Tarrant County. For more information on living wage per family size in Tarrant County, click here.
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.
Stipend amounts will vary based on family size, semester timeline, and student status. More information will be provided to Gatehouse Success Grant recipients upon move-in.
No, the stipend is part of our program and not considered taxable income.
No, we do not offer personal tours. However, we will provide a tour for admitted applicants.
No. Grant recipients are provided with a program timeline upon move- in. As long as grant recipients are meeting program requirements and following community safety expectations, grant eligibility 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.
Because Grapevine has limited public transportation options, it is the responsibility of the Member to possess or obtain her own vehicle.
All children are required to attend school and/or daycare outside of the apartment. The Gatehouse is located within the GCISD (Grapevine-Colleyville) school district.