Eight universities to receive funding in 2023

Thanks to its clearly demonstrated effectiveness, Greater Texas Foundation is extending the GTF Scholars program to help more Early College High School students achieve their dreams of a college education. The surge of Early College High Schools (ECHS) in Texas has helped many more low-income or first generation students build a path to college. In response, the GTF Scholars program was specially designed in 2012 to help ECHS students thrive in college and earn a bachelor’s degree at lower cost and with less debt. 

Because of the unequivocal success of the program, Greater Texas Foundation has approved $12 million in new funding for GTF Scholars over the next eight years. A third set of partner institutions has been announced for 2023  to implement this signature program, including 5 continuing and 3 new partners.

Partner Institutions

  • The University of Texas at El Paso
  • University of Houston – Downtown
  • Texas A&M University
  • University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
  • Texas A&M San Antonio
  • University of North Texas at Dallas*
  • Texas A&M Central Texas*
  • Texas A&M Corpus Christi*

 (*denotes institutions that have not been previous GTF Scholars institutions)

“This program is truly emblematic of our mission of college access and student success. We’ve had many wonderful partners over the years, and we are thankful for all the universities who have been part of this signature program and who served as “incubators” regarding how best to serve Texas ECHS graduates with high quality, personalized services.”  – Sue McMillin, President and CEO.

Research Shows that the Model Works

The successful model, refined over the years and adapted for each participating campus, consists of  a cohort of scholars, a program coordinator at each university,  wraparound support services, and scholarship funding. Outside evaluators have measured and documented the success of the program, confirming that GTF Scholars have significantly better outcomes in persistence, graduation and loan debt than other ECHS graduates.

  • 91% of GTF Scholars earned their bachelor’s degree
  • Loan debt at graduation was $2,116 versus $13,186 in the comparison group

 

Read the evidence of our success.

Since inception, the foundation has committed $25 million in grants through the GTF Scholars program to help ECHS students attending its partner institutions. 

 “We are proud that the GTF Scholars program has helped college campuses learn how to best serve the growing number of Early College High School graduates and help them achieve their potential.” – Sue McMillin, President and CEO

Related Links:

Program Information: greatertexasfoundation.org/gtf-scholars

Partner School Contacts: greatertexasfoundation.org/gtf-scholars/partner-institutions

VIDEO: Current GTF Scholars share how the program contributes to their success in transitioning from an Early College High School to a four-year university: youtu.be/Ja_TGfHf6NQ 

About Greater Texas Foundation: Greater Texas Foundation is a private foundation based in Bryan, Texas that supports efforts to ensure all Texas students are prepared for, have access to, persist in, and complete a postsecondary education. Since its 2001 inception, the foundation has approved more than $142 million in grants to support Texas students. For more information, visit greatertexasfoundation.org 

Media Contact: Leslie Gurrola, Director of Programs and Strategy,

lesliegurrola@greatertexasfoundation.org, 979-779-6100

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