In 2017, The Commit Partnership and Dallas College launched the Dallas County Promise, a collaborative initiative to create an affordable pathway to postsecondary education for students in Dallas County.
Initially, Dallas County Promise was primarily focused on addressing college affordability by managing a last-dollar scholarship for students from select Dallas County high schools effectively waiving tuition for graduating seniors enrolling in Dallas College or the University of North Texas at Dallas. Support was contingent upon students completing a pledge, including submission of FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, to draw down federal grants and scholarships, such as the Pell. Students that complete the TAFSA, the Texas Application for State Financial Aid, are also eligible for the Dallas County Promise.
During its inaugural year, Dallas County Promise served 9,000 graduating seniors from 31 Dallas County high schools across seven school districts.
Since then, Dallas County Promise has grown significantly. At Dallas College alone, enrollment from Promise has nearly doubled, from 2,500 in 2018 to almost 5,000 in 2024. Program-wide, Dallas County Promise supported 28,000 students from 85 high schools spanning 11 public school districts and two charter networks in 2025, representing more than 80% of graduating seniors in Dallas County.
Beyond an expanded footprint, Dallas County Promise has added a bevy of support services for students and partner schools. Students receive year-long coaching and advising to mitigate barriers in applying for and transitioning to college, and educators participate in quarterly convenings and receive on-campus support and resources from Promise staff.
Parents, too, are eligible for Promise at Dallas College, affording them up to five years of free tuition as they pursue a degree or credential.
“At Dallas College, we are in the business of removing barriers and expanding opportunities for every student,” said Dallas College Chancellor Dr. Justin Lonon. “The Dallas County Promise is more than a scholarship—it’s a transformative initiative that provides comprehensive support to ensure students not only access higher education but also reach completion. By investing in our students and equipping them with the tools to succeed, we are strengthening our regional workforce and creating pathways to meaningful, living-wage careers that will uplift families and communities across Dallas County.”
Today, Promise students have a wider range of postsecondary institutions to choose from than they did in 2017. Partner four-year universities include East Texas A&M University, Midwestern State University, Southern Methodist University, Tarleton State University, Texas Woman’s University, the University of North Texas, the University of North Texas at Dallas, and the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA).
UTA has been a Promise partner since 2020 and is second only to Dallas College in Promise enrollees. Some students make their way to UTA after completing an associate’s degree at Dallas College, while others enroll directly out of high school.
UTA is actively involved in enrolling students in Dallas County Promise, particularly in Grand Prairie ISD where they offer hands-on support, including on-the-spot admissions for eligible students. Once on campus, Promise students join UTA’s Blaze Forward network, receiving peer support as they navigate the transition into and throughout college.
In late 2024, an unprecedented $60 million multi-year investment from the O’Donnell Foundation initiated the next phase of Dallas County Promise. Dallas College and The Commit Partnership will leverage the joint grant to extend Promise support to middle school students and adult learners.
The expanded efforts will include year-round college and career advising for middle and high school students and targeted financial assistance for returning adult students, parents of Promise students and students engaging in workforce training programs. Additionally, grant funding will be used to support retention among Promise higher education partners, improve data and coordination systems, and strengthen collaboration with workforce organizations to ensure students have access to living-wage careers upon graduation.
“Our region’s true north goal is to substantially grow living wage attainment for young adults in Dallas County,” said Todd Williams, founder and CEO of The Commit Partnership. “By investing in the capabilities of our students to universally provide them pathways to some type of postsecondary credential attainment, the Dallas County Promise has the potential to add billions of dollars in incremental lifetime earnings to the regional economy.”
To learn more about the Dallas County Promise, visit www.dallascountypromise.org.