SKIP TO PAGE CONTENT
Menu

Kate's Cowboy Promise

Free Tuition for Local High School Graduates

Southwest Texas College (SWTX) proudly announces Kate’s Cowboy Promise—the promise of free tuition, required fees, and books* to graduates from a Uvalde, Real, Frio, or Zavala County high school who attend SWTX in the next five years. Named for Kate Marmion, who graduated from Uvalde High School in 2006, Kate’s Cowboy Promise has been funded by the Kate Marmion Charitable Foundation. Kate's Cowboy Promise covers the last-dollar amount of tuition and required fees after all other financial aid is applied (Federal Pell Grant or any other scholarships).

*A book stipend of up to $300 per semester may be provided.

Eligibility

  • Graduate from a high school in Uvalde, Frio, Real, or Zavala County
    • Uvalde High School, Knippa High School, Sabinal High School, Utopia High School
    • Pearsall High School & Dilley High School
    • Leakey High School & Nueces Canyon High School
    • Crystal City High School & La Pryor High School
    • Charter School, Private School, and Home School students from these counties are also eligible
  • Submit a complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to SWTX
  • Submit an application for Fall 2025 by the priority deadline of April 18, 2025
    • This application is available to eligible students past the priority deadline but is contingent on available funds. 

Eligible Courses

  • Academic Courses leading to AA/AS, Field of Study, Transfer
  • Technical Courses leading to AAS, Certificate
  • Courses must be part of the Course Program of Study (degree/certificate or field of study plan)

How to Qualify

Step 1: Apply for SWTX Admission

Red square with a white apply icon

Apply for admission to Southwest Texas College through ApplyTexas.

Apply now at ApplyTexas.org

Step 2: Apply for Federal Financial Aid

Red square with a white coin wearing a grad cap icon

Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using Federal School Code 003614 by June 30, 2025.

Apply for FAFSA

Step 3: Apply for Kate's Cowboy Promise

Red square with a white hands shaped in a heart icon

Complete and submit an application for Kate’s Cowboy Promise by the April 18, 2025, priority deadline. We will continue to accept applications after the priority deadline as funds are available.

When applying, please use this code to access the application: KCP2025

When you log in to apply for this award, you do not need to apply for the general application. Please proceed to the Kate's Cowboy Promise High School Seniors Only application and fill in the code above.

Kate's Cowboy Promise Application

Students who have taken Dual Credit courses at Southwest Texas College, please log in below with your SWTX credentials:

Kate's Cowboy Promise Application - SWTX Dual Credit

Step 4: Submit TEOG Eligibility Form

Red square with a white transcript icon

You must submit a Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) Statement of Student Eligibility Form to SWTX by April 18, 2025. Download the TEOG Eligibility Form and use the following button to upload a copy securely.

SWTX TEOG Form

Upload Your TEOG Eligibility Form

Maintain Eligibility

Continuation for up to 3 years or completion of an Associate Degree or Certificate, whichever comes first, provided:

  • Complete 30 credit hours during the academic year (fall/spring/summer)
  • Maintain continuous enrollment; if you decide to take a semester off, you will no longer be eligible when you return
  • Apply for Financial Aid annually
  • Remain in Satisfactory Academic Progress