No-Cost College Program Celebrates Upcoming Third School Year

Gainesville, Texas., May 15, 2023 – Red River Promise, a pathway program to college, is excited to embark on its third academic year in operation moving into the Fall 2023 semester. By providing accessible and affordable means to high-quality college education for students across the North Central Texas region, Red River Promise has experienced abundant success since its inception. The program has already seen more than 200 students graduate from high school and transition into various educational environments - including to North Central Texas College or directly into a 4-year university setting.

With multiple pathways to education, namely CTE (career and technical) and Academic, there are various opportunities for young adults to guarantee a successful professional future. The program currently has an 85% retention rate and graduated its first set of seven students this May from North Central Texas College.

The Red River Promise program is a college readiness and last-dollar-scholarship program for Cooke and Montague counties and Graham ISD. Through the program, high school students pledge that they will graduate from their current high school and go to college the following semester. A team of dedicated educators and volunteers then council those committed individuals through the oftentimes overwhelming college preparation process. Students are guided through the FAFSA and scholarship applications and are provided with tips on how to make the most of their college experience.

After the aforementioned efforts are made, any remaining tuition is covered by Red River Promise, so no pledged individual or their family has to pay tuition. Any outstanding costs and fees are taken care of through a combination of grants and scholarships. This alleviated burden has made higher level education an option for so many families in Texas who would not have been able to financially access a college education otherwise.

In partnership with 10 different colleges and universities throughout the region, including North Central Texas College, University of North Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at Arlington, Midwestern State University, Texas Woman’s University, Texas A&M – Commerce, West Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Red River Promise has been able to solidify the educational futures of hundreds of students in the first 18 months of operation alone. “The Red River Promise program is already providing life changing opportunities for students by incentivizing community service, academic success and persistence,” according to Dr. G. Brent Wallace, the Chancellor of North Central Texas College. From urban to rural counties, Red River Promise has afforded a higher standard of resources and guidance to students and their families.

So far this year, 40 various FAFSA educational seminars, pledge events, and large coaching rallies have been held to help program enrollees prepare for the road ahead. In March 2023 alone, the program visited Callisburg ISD, Valley View ISD, and Gainesville ISD. Along with seven university partners, North Central Texas College coaches and career services, Workforce Solutions Texoma, and Catholic Charities met with high school seniors to discuss postsecondary pathways and available resources.

The program’s data outlines the undeniable achievements of the initiative. In Cooke County alone for the Fall 2022 semester, 123 students were enrolled in the program, which was an increase of more than 73% from the previous fall semester. According to program officials, 104 students were then enrolled in the program at the start of the spring 2023 semester. Moving into the Fall semester ahead, Red River Promise program educators expect to see yet another major increase in enrollment of college bound students striving towards both technical and academic careers. “We look forward to seeing these students either continue their educational pursuits or enter the workforce,” says Dr. G. Brent Wallace.

If you or your high school student are interested in making a commitment to the Red River Promise Program and pursuing a higher level education, please visit https://redriverpromise.org/ to “Pledge Now” or contact program officials by phone at (940) 668-4298 or by email at promise@nctc.edu.