We help with what matters so you can focus on your future
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.
While completing your education, you’ll receive:
A fully furnished, beautiful rent-free spacious apartment for you and your children on our gated campus in Grapevine with ample parking and 24/7 security
Large playground, sports court and stocked fishing pond for your children
Outdoor grilling and picnic areas
No-cost 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
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for admissions, you must meet ALL of the following requirements:
- 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)
- US citizen or permanent resident and currently living in the DFW Metroplex (for more information about qualifying counties, click here)
- Within 2 years of graduation or completing a healthcare or teaching undergraduate or master’s degree program
- 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 below to see if your healthcare or teaching degree program qualifies and if your college or university is considered an approved institution)
- Annual income below $50,000 and proof of current FAFSA application/approval
- Able to provide a career plan that explains how the degree will be instrumental in reaching your career goals
- No active addictions with sustained sobriety for at least the last 3 years (includes no smoking, vaping or tobacco use)
- Have a valid Texas driver’s license and a reliable vehicle
* Qualified programs and approved institutions must meet all of the following criteria:
- A partner college or university (currently Parker University and Texas Woman’s University) or must be a Texas state-funded public university or college with a physical campus located in the DFW Metroplex
- The college or university must be accredited by SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools regional accreditation)
- The degree program must have programmatic accreditation recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and/or the Department of Education
Please note: If you do not meet ALL of the Minimum Eligibility Requirements listed above, your application will not be considered.
Applying is fast and easy…and no cost to you!
If you meet the Minimum Eligibility Requirements listed above, click on the button below to submit an Eligibility Form and start the application process.
In just a few minutes, you can complete the Eligibility Form from your phone, laptop or other device. Apply today while space is still available.
About the application process
If you are enrolled at Parker University, contact your school advisor to learn more and see if you qualify.
- You must meet the Minimum Eligibility Requirements and your undergraduate or master’s degree program and institution must meet the criteria listed above for your Eligibility Form to be considered.
- Meeting these minimum eligibility requirements and submitting an Eligibility Form ensures an applicant’s Eligibility Form will be considered but does not guarantee an invitation to apply for the grant, an interview or selection for the grant.
- Applicants will receive a response within 4 weeks of submitting an Eligibility Form.
- If an applicant is invited to apply for the grant, the application process can take up to 8 weeks, depending on how completely and quickly the applicant returns 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 and undergraduate degrees will receive priority.
- If an applicant is not selected for a grant, we do not discuss reasons for the denial with the applicant or their representative.
Move in dates
If selected for this Program, move in dates are determined based on the start date of the semester program. Move in dates for the Fall semester will be late July/early August and for the Spring Semester December/early January. Delayed move in dates will be considered in situations where a pre-existing lease or housing obligation requires a later move in date.
Why does The Gatehouse want to help single mom students?
From our founding in 2015, The Gatehouse’s mission has been to give women a hand up for permanent, positive change.
In response to the growing skill and wage gap for single moms in our community, the Education Track is designed to help single mom students create a foundation for lifelong self-sustainability through the completion of their undergraduate degree.
Not only does education empower single moms to change the trajectory of their lives and their children’s lives, it also contributes positively to our community by helping address the current and projected skilled workforce shortages.
The Gatehouse, a 501c3 based in Grapevine, Texas, serves women living in the DFW area.
About The Education Track
In addition to housing, while you’re in the Education Track Program, your preschool children will attend childcare at Legacy Early Learning Academy (school-age kids attend GCISD) and you’ll receive a monthly stipend so you can focus on:
- Going to school full-time (no full-time outside employment permitted or breaks between semesters) and maintaining a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA
- Completing all/remaining degree requirements within 24 months
- Addressing and overcoming the predominant barriers impacting self-sustainability through a Personal Empowerment Plan
- Participating in all Gatehouse Program requirements, including weekly coaching sessions, skills classes and groups
- Following Community Safety Rules
- Ensuring children are fully engaged in the Family Life Program
Goals for our graduates
If you fully engage in the Education Track, you should be able to achieve the following 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 is knowledgeable of your personal parenting style
- Established a healthy community within and outside of The Gatehouse community