Program Overview and Eligibility Criteria
The Gateway to College program serves at-risk youth (up to age 20) who have dropped out of high school. The program enables students to earn a high school diploma (awarded by participating area high schools) while achieving college success. Students earn both high school and college credit, up to and including an associate degree, awarded by Tri-County Technical College. All classes are college courses taught by college faculty on Tri-County’s campus. Students also receive comprehensive and individualized support services, including academic and career advising, to help ensure their success.

College staff and educators from local school districts have worked collaboratively to complete the intensive planning and implementation activities necessary to open the program to 50 students in the fall of 2006. The program will serve 300 students by the fall of 2008. Students are accepted for the fall, spring, and summer semesters and MUST reside in either Anderson, Oconee, or Pickens county. Costs for tuition and books are covered by the program. Students must provide their own transportation, although funds are available to eligible participants to help with gas money and child care.


FAQs for Gateway to College

How is Gateway to College Funded?
In addition to support from Portland Community College (PCC), a national intermediary of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and its partners the Carnegie Corporation of New York, The Ford Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the program is funded through Tri-County Technical College and our partners in student success, Anderson School District 1, Anderson School District 2, Anderson School District 3, Anderson School District 4, Anderson School District 5, Oconee County School District, and Pickens County School District.

These contracts are made possible because many states allow students who are working towards their high school diploma to receive public education support until their twenty-first birthday. Curriculum is aligned to ensure both high school and college standards are met.

Additional funding is provided by grants from Worklink Workforce Investment Board and the Appalachian Regional Center.

Why do school districts support Gateway to College?
Gateway to College provides a real second chance for success to dropouts who are unlikely to or are unable to return to a traditional high school. Although many school districts offer excellent alternative schools, they are not always the best option for every student. Learning in an adult environment is the right fit for many dropouts. The flexibility of college and the chance to earn college credits while completing high school is attractive to older students, teen parents, students who must work to support themselves and young people so far behind in credits that they could not hope to graduate with their age peers.

Who will our students be?
Gateway to College serves students 17-20 years old who have dropped out of school. They are a diverse group of young people facing many challenges. They are young people who feel they did not fit well in a traditional high school setting. Some will be English language learners, teen parents, former gang members, and students who struggled with substance abuse. Many of these students work part-time and live on their own. All must make the commitment to complete high school and work toward a college degree.

During the first five years of Gateway to College at PCC, the average age at entry was 17.8 years. Students started with only 7.3 high school credits and an average GPA of 1.7.

Gateway to College does not serve students who are doing well in high school and want to make an early transition to college. Many colleges offer advanced placement courses and other options to serve these students. Gateway to College works exclusively with students who have not experience success in a traditional high school. They are either no longer attending school or are behind in credits and are unable to graduate with their peers.

ALL students must live in Anderson, Oconee, or Pickens County.

How long will students be in the program?
Because most students still have a long way to go to earn their diploma, most will be in the Gateway to College program from one to three years. Since it is college, the program is flexible; students can attend part time, and take classes during the day or in the evening. The exact length of time to earn a diploma varies by a student’s course load and credits needed. Students remain in Gateway to College until they earn a high school diploma. We encourage graduates of the program to continue their college studies in order to meet their academic goals.

More than 70 percent of graduates continue their college education at PCC.

What kind of support will students receive?
Gateway to College provides wrap-around services to all students. Each student is under the care and guidance of a resource specialist who serves as coach, mentor, and advisor. Every student will have a detailed, individualized academic plan to ensure that every course counts toward academic goals. During a students’ first semester – the foundation semester where they take classes exclusively with other Gateway to College students – they take “College Survival and Success,” which focuses on study habits, time management, note taking, research skills, test taking strategies, and other techniques for succeeding in college. This course is taught by a resource specialist who gets to know students as individuals and works closely with other instructors during the foundation semester, in order to meet each student’s academic needs.

After the initial foundation semester, resource specialists continue to provide support. They connect students with college and community resources. They also oversee registration to ensure that students are on track with their education plans.

Are Gateway to College students "regular" college students?
Yes. Every Gateway to College class is a college course, taught by college faculty. All classes are offered on campus, and meet college course standards. Curriculum is not modified for younger students, and students who do not meet expectations cannot continue. Coupled with high expectations is a high level of support. Dropouts can achieve in college with the proper assistance, and we require that students pass all classes with a “C” or better.

Does the dual-credit approach work?
Yes. High school dropouts leave school for lots of reasons, but many are academically capable. Gateway to College is attractive because students can complete their high school requirements while earning a significant number of college credits toward a degree or certificate. Once students earn their high school diploma they graduate from Gateway to College and transition to the next step on their education and career plan. Young people who have little chance of even graduating from high school are reinventing themselves for their future.

How can a student get into the program?
All students must meet the basic eligibility requirements and live in Anderson, Oconee or Pickens County. The first step is to call the Gateway to College office at 646-1461 to have an application packet mailed to you, or to stop by Pickens 125 on Tri-County’s campus. At this time, you will need to sign up for an information session to learn more about the program and begin the application process.

What can students achieve in this program?
Students can earn their high school diploma (this is not a GED program) and earn TCTC credit toward a certificate, diploma, or an associate degree.


Program Staff Contact Information
Current staff members for Gateway to College are listed below.

The National Gateway to College Replication Project
Gateway to College is a nationally recognized program developed by Portland Community College in Oregon. Tri-County Technical College was one of four national replication sites selected in the fall of 2005 by Portland Community College to receive grants for planning and implementation. A total of 17 sites will have received grants for Gateway to College replication by the fall of 2007. Information on the national replication initiative for Gateway to College is available a www.gatewaytocollege.org.

Portland Community College is one of twelve partner organizations in the national Early College High School Initiative, funded by the generous support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Ford Foundation, and the W.K. Foundation.