AlamoPROMISE Begins its Fifth Year of Eliminating Financial Barriers to Education

Beginning Sept. 1, eligible graduating current high school seniors who plan to graduate from participating high schools and programs in 2024 can begin the process to join AlamoPROMISE, the Alamo Colleges District’s tuition-free college program offering the promise of a quality college education free from financial burden.

Now in its fifth year of recruitment, AlamoPROMISE is serving 20 school districts and partners including 73 San Antonio-area high schools and programs, as well as private, charter, and home schools in Bexar County as a result of an expanded level of service that reaches more students across the region. This increases the AlamoPROMISE program’s reach and enables the opportunity for a strong future to over 20,000 students and their families across our region, with an anticipated enrollment of over 5,500 new students this Fall 2023 – the largest incoming class of AlamoPROMISE Scholars to date.

AlamoPROMISE covers tuition and required fees for eligible students seeking an academic certificate or associate degree at one of the five Alamo Colleges: Northeast Lakeview, Northwest Vista, Palo Alto, St. Philip’s, and San Antonio College. 

To be eligible, students must be a graduating senior from a participating AlamoPROMISE high school and program, apply for admission to one of the Alamo Colleges, complete financial aid requirements, and enroll in classes for Fall 2024. The AlamoPROMISE does not have an incoming grade point average or income requirements.  

The 2024-2025 ApplyTexas application opens on September 1, and the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) is slated to open in December. Students who complete both of these requirements by Feb. 28, 2024, will guarantee their spot in the program, pending eligibility verification. Students who are interested in learning more but not ready to apply can visit alamo.edu/promise to learn more. 

As AlamoPROMISE Scholars, students receive a "last-dollar" scholarship for up to three years or the completion of an associate degree or academic certificate, whichever comes first. The "last-dollar" scholarship funds the cost of tuition and required fees after financial aid awards are applied. 

AlamoPROMISE recently expanded to include graduates from charter, private, and home schools in Bexar County, effective for the class of 2023. 

“The Alamo Colleges District is proud to begin our fifth year of recruitment for our AlamoPROMISE program to continue our moonshot of ending decades of generational poverty in our community,” said Dr. Mike Flores, Alamo Colleges District Chancellor. “We thank the countless supporters of this program, including our city leaders - City of San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and the members of the San Antonio City Council, as well as generous donors. By giving students a step up on their educational journey, we are accelerating the elimination of poverty through education in our community.”

In addition to tuition assistance, AlamoPROMISE Scholars have access to wraparound services such as advising, career counseling, and help with financial, health, and other issues that present barriers to completing a college education. Anyone interested in learning more about how to apply and qualify is encouraged to visit alamo.edu/promise.