Mar 6, 2020
Signing Agreement
Pictured are (l-r) COM Vice President for Fiscal Affairs Clen Burton, Texas City Mayor Pro Tem Phil Roberts, Texas City Economic Development Corporation Chairperson Mark Ciavaglia, COM Foundation Executive Director Lisa Watson, Texas City Executive Director of Management Services Nick Finan, COM Foundation Board President Gary Scoggin, Texas City Mayor Matthew Doyle, Texas City Economic Development Corporation Board Member Randy Dietel and COM Board Trustee Chair Kyle Dickson.An agreement was signed on Thursday, March 5 between College of the Mainland and the Texas City Economic Development Corporation that will provide funding for the training and education of graduating seniors who reside in Texas City. HereCOM Foundation Board President Gary Scoggin, COM Foundation Executive Director Lisa Watson and Texas City Economic Development Corporation Chairperson Mark Ciavaglia, sign the agreement.

While traditionally the prospect of a college education has often been financially out of reach for many students, College of the Mainland is breaking those financial barriers in a substantial way through its Opening Doors Promise Scholarship. Funded generously through a $1 million donation from the Texas City Economic Development Corporation, the program will allow every qualifying high school student residing in Texas City to attend COM full time, tuition free.  

“To be able to go to college at College of the Mainland and get a quality education without the financing side of it being a barrier is just unheard of,” said Texas City Mayor Matthew Doyle. “What this means to the business environment and the economic development of our community cannot even begin to be measured. Of all the things I’ve been a part of as mayor for the last 16 years at this great city, this will go down as the best one ever.”

Through the leadership of COM President Warren Nichols and Mayor Doyle, the implementation of the program follows two years of strategic planning and development to address the growing need for accessible education in the Texas City community.

“We are very grateful to have community partners like the City of Texas City to support our work as we strive to provide greater access to college,” said President Nichols. “A college education is a fundamental investment that will guide students on to a path to education and future employment in high-demand jobs.”

The Opening Doors Promise Scholarship will provide a "last-dollar scholarship" for any Class of 2020 high school student living in Texas City by offering funding to fill the gap for the remaining tuition and fees after grants or scholarships have been applied. Through the program, students can earn an associate degree or complete a workforce training certificate program with no tuition. 

All Texas City residing high school seniors (GED, public, private, home or charter schools) graduating in the Class of 2020 are eligible for the Opening Doors Promise Scholarship. There is no income or high school GPA requirement.

To become an Opening Doors Promise Scholar, graduating seniors must complete two simple steps by the designated deadline dates below:

  • STEP 1 – May 15, 2020: Apply for admission through www.applytexas.org and choose “College of the Mainland.”
  • STEP 2 – June 1, 2020: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov and list “College of the Mainland” or enter code 007096.

COM continues to work with other community partners to expand the program to surrounding areas. To learn more about the Opening Doors Promise Scholarship at College of the Mainland, call (409) 933-8508 or email lwatson5@com.edu.