Tarleton Gateway to Success

The Tarleton Gateway to Success (TGS) is an alternative admission program in which select freshmen, who have met conditional admission requirements, are allowed to earn full admission in the Fall by taking Summer courses.

Students are introduced to a network of meaningful resources that aim to help them along their academic experience, as well as planned activities, mentoring, and advising that assist them in their college journey. Classes are offered in-person only at our Stephenville campus.

Stone pillar with "Tarleton" and a wrought iron gate in a park setting.

Enrollment and Participation

The Tarleton Gateway to Success program is limited to the first 150 students who accept by signing and submitting the Invitation and Participation Agreement. Students can participate in TGS by invitation only, offered by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Students will only be eligible to attend the TGS program on the Stephenville campus.

All 2026 TGS students must agree and adhere to the following deadlines to participate and remain enrolled:

April 15th – TGS Invitation and Participation Agreement must be signed and returned.
May 1st – Housing Applications and one-time $150 Housing Application Fee must be completed. Visit the Department of Residence Life for instructions and housing information.
- If planning to live on-campus (in Centennial Hall) for the TGS program, a Summer 2026 Housing Application must be submitted. Summer Housing Applications will open April 1st.
- A Fall 2026 Housing Application must be submitted for all incoming freshmen students, or they must qualify and be approved for an Off-Campus Exemption.
June 1st – Must be registered for a Texan Orientation. Student are encouraged to attend prior to June 29th.
June 1st – TSIA or TSIA 2.0 scores and/or TSI exemptions must be submitted. Visit TSI Resources for more information and instructions on how to release scores or submit proof of exemption.
- Haven’t tested yet? Schedule your TSI testing here, to be completed before the June 1st deadline.
June 1st – 2025-2026 FAFSA (for Summer 2026 aid) and 2026-2027 FAFSA (for Fall 2026-Summer 2027 aid) must be submitted. For more information, visit our Office of Financial Aid page.
June 1st – Proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination, or proper state-approved exemption, must be submitted.
August 1st – All required admissions application documents, including final high school transcript, college transcripts showing dual credit earned or transfer hours, and other documentation must be received.

To be eligible for Fall enrollment, a Tarleton Gateway to Success student must also:

Participate in scheduled Tarleton Gateway to Success activities, including a mandatory TGS Onboarding on June 27th, 2026 (different from Texan Orientation) prior to the program beginning.
Successfully complete six (6) semester credit hours, in pre-selected courses, with a C grade or higher.

Academic Courses

In support of you, the Strategic Student Pathways Advisor will coordinate course enrollment for the Tarleton Gateway to Success program and will oversee efforts that monitor your success in meeting the course requirements. Tarleton Gateway to Success students may not take a reduced course load, nor take additional courses during the 2nd Summer 5-week session without prior approval from the Strategic Student Pathways Advisor.

TGS students will be enrolled by the Strategic Student Pathways Advisor in six (6) credit hours for the summer program:

Three (3) hours of Communications, and
Three (3) hours of Fine Arts.

Students are enrolled in specific sections of the courses, and therefore classes can not be changed. These two courses are part of student’s degree plan, as part of the core categories general education requirements, and will go towards credits needed for graduation.

Student writing at a desk in a classroom.

Academic Support and Program Components

Our top priority is to position you to achieve your academic and career goals. That includes giving you all the support you need along the way.

Student Development and Mentoring (SDM) will assist in providing a range of academic supports to assist TGS students in meeting the requirements of the program. Academic supports for Tarleton Gateway to Success students include mandatory meetings with a supportive Peer Mentor.

Program Cost and Financial Information

For an estimated cost of tuition and fees for the Tarleton Gateway to Success program, please access Tarleton’s tuition estimator calculator. There are no TGS program participation fees for students. The cost of the program is that of 6 credit hours, housing (if applicable) and a few university fees and expenses that all students, regardless of TGS status, are responsible for such as parking, textbooks, and application fees.

Tuition

TGS students will pay regular tuition and fees and apply for financial aid via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Limited scholarship funding may be available. To receive federal financial aid, apply for student loans, and be considered for institutional financial aid, you must have a completed 2025-2026 FAFSA and 2026-2027 FAFSA on file. For more information regarding FAFSA, please visit the Office of Financial Aid’s page.

Housing

Students participating in the TGS program have the option to:

live on-campus in a Tarleton State University residence hall, or
live off-campus and commute daily to the Stephenville campus for all classes and scheduled activities

On-campus housing is highly preferred by TGS students. TGS students wishing to live on-campus will need to complete a Summer Housing Application (opens April 1st, 2026) and pay the one-time $150 Housing Application Fee. (The Summer Housing Application is separate from the Fall Housing Application all freshmen students are required to complete.) Students Summer housing space will translate over to their Fall housing, meaning no move-out is required!

TGS students who choose to live on-campus will be housed in Centennial Hall. The estimated cost is:

$727.00 for housing, and
$1,157.04 for the meal plan

Meal plans are required for any student who lives on campus, including the Summer semester. The meal plan is tailored for the TGS program, including lunch and dinner for June 26th– July 31st. For more information regarding student housing, please visit the Department of Residence Life.

Important Dates for the TGS Program

Courses for the Tarleton Gateway to Success program occur during the 2nd Summer 5-Week Session, which runs from June 29th – July 30th. Students who have applied to live on-campus will move in before the Summer semester begins. All TGS students are required to attend TGS Onboarding, which will occur before the first day of class.

Summer 2026 Dates for TGS:

June 22nd – TGS Program Payment Deadline (this is different from the general Summer 2026 term payment deadline)
June 26th – Move-In (for TGS students living on-campus)
June 27th – Mandatory TGS Onboarding (for the student only)
June 29th – First Day of Class
- Courses will be in-person, Monday through Thursday, 10:00-11:40am and 1:00-2:40pm.
July 30th – Last Day of Class
July 31st – TGS Program Concludes
- Students successful in the TGS program over the summer will remain enrolled for the Fall semester.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There a Deadline to Accept the TGS Conditional Admission Offer?

Yes – The deadline to accept the Tarleton Gateway to Succes (TGS) offer is April 15, 2026. The program is limited to the first 150 students to submit their agreement. If capacity is reached, students may be waitlisted or denied.

When Does the Program Begin?

The TGS program runs during the 2nd Summer 5-week session. Classes for TGS students will be June 29 – July 30, 2026, Monday through Thursday. There are other dates that are a requirement of the program, including a mandatory TGS Onboarding (different than Texan Orientation) event for all TGS students, which will occur on June 27, 2026.

What Courses do TGS Students Take?

Students will take six (6) credit hours during TGS. This includes a Communications and a Fine Arts course. These two courses will count towards the student’s requirements on their degree plan, as part of their general education courses.

When are Classes?

Classes will be in-person, on the Stephenville campus, Monday through Thursday, from 10:00-11:40am and 1:00-2:40pm. The first day of class is June 29th, and the final day is July 30th, 2026.

Can Classes be Taken Online?

No – Classes are only offered in person for the TGS program. Students will be required to attend in person, at the Stephenville campus, each class day as well as any additional TGS events outside of the set class times.

Is On-Campus Housing Available or Required?

TGS students have the opportunity to live either on or off campus during the Summer. Students will still be required to live on-campus for the Fall semester, or submit exemption, regardless of their Summer housing arrangement.

Will Financial Aid be Available?

Yes – Tarleton Gateway to Success (TGS) students will need to complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA for Summer 2026 aid and the 2026-2027 FAFSA for Fall 2026-Summer 2027 aid by June 1, 2026. Students may also apply for scholarships.

Do TGS Students Get to Attend Texan Orientation and Duck Camp?

Yes – Students who complete the TGS program requirements will be fully accepted to attend Tarleton for the Fall semester. In anticipation for the Fall semester, TGS students will be required to attend Texan Orientation (preferably before their TGS program begins) and are also able to register for the optional, though highly encouraged, Duck Camp.

Your Tarleton Gateway to Success Advisor

Keely Roberts

Strategic Student Pathways Advisor
Kroberts@tarleton.edu
254-459-5529