The Freedom to Dream 2.0 Tuition Waiver is a pilot program at Del Mar College that covers your tuition and fees for up to 60 semester credit hours. It uses "first dollar" funds, which means we apply the waiver first, before any financial aid or scholarships kick in. More money in your pocket to use for whatever else you need! We encourage you to apply for additional financial aid, scholarships, and grants, which can help with specific course-related fees, textbooks, and 3-peat fees*.

* A per semester credit hour fee will be charged if you are attempting a class for the third time.

This program supports 2026 high school graduates or GED recipients, dual enrollment students from the class of 2026 (must meet program requirements, including 2.0 GPA), or adult learners (must have earned 12 or fewer credit hours and attempted no more than 18 credit hours by Fall 2026, including 2.0 GPA). Eligible students must:

• Reside within DMC's taxing district, which includes specific areas served by Corpus Christi ISD, Calallen ISD, Flour Bluff ISD, Tuloso-Midway ISD, West Oso ISD, parts of London ISD and Robstown ISD.
• Demonstrate college-readiness by earning benchmark scores on the TSIA2 assessment or equivalent.

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Being college-ready means you're prepared to succeed in college-level courses without needing developmental education. To qualify for Freedom to Dream 2.0, you must demonstrate readiness by earning benchmark scores on your TSIA2 (Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0) or an equivalent assessment.

Don't know your TSIA2 scores? No problem. Contact our Student Enrollment Center, and we'll help you understand your results and what steps you need to take. If you haven't tested yet or need to retest, we can guide you through that process too.

See TSIA2 readiness scores here (need to include link)

Freedom to Dream 2.0 now includes select Continuing Education pathways for students who are building college readiness. These programs allow you to earn industry credentials while preparing for college-level work.

Covered CE programs include:

Institutional Credential Leading to a License or Certification (ICLC):

• Administrative Assistant
• Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
• Dispatcher
• EKG Technician
• Legal Secretary
• Phlebotomy
• Wastewater Technician

Workforce Skill Award (WSA):

• Accounting
• Air Conditioning
• Management
• Millwright
• Plumbing
• Welding

These programs are designed to help you earn credentials and prepare for further education or career opportunities. Talk to an advisor to determine which pathway is right for you.

The Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver is only available for students starting college in Fall 2026. If you plan to enroll for the first time in Spring 2027 or later, you will not be eligible for this program. 

Currently, the Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver is only open to U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens who meet all other program requirements, including residency within the DMC taxing district. 

Absolutely! Graduates with an OSA, certificate, or associate degree through a dual credit program by May 2026 are eligible to continue for up to an 60 additional semester credit hours beyond their degree. Talk to your academic advisor to ensure you're enrolled in the right courses for further education at DMC, transferring to a university, or joining one of our bachelor's programs in Nursing or Organizational Management & Leadership.

Adult learners are eligible if they have a minimum 2.0 GPA and completed 12 or fewer semester credit hours and have attempted no more than 18 semester credit hours by the time the Fall 2026 semester begins (August 24, 2026). This means even if you started college before but didn't finish many courses, you may still qualify.

To maintain eligibility, students must:

1. Live in the DMC taxing district.
2. Enroll in a credit or certificate program such as AA, AS, AAS, Cert I/II, OSA or Continuing
3. Education ICLC or WSA.
4. Enroll full-time (at least 12 semester hours) by August 1, 2026.
5. Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA.
6. Commit to no more than two major changes, with exceptions for stackable credentials.
7. Take courses according to the degree plan. Courses outside the plan are at full cost.
8. Cover costs for textbooks, lab fees, and specific program fees.
9. Meet with an advisor and success coach each semester.
10. Attend in-person student orientation by August 1, 2026.

Since Freedom to Dream 2.0 requires students to be college-ready, most students will begin in college-level courses. However, if your degree plan requires specific developmental courses and you meet the college-ready benchmarks in other areas, work closely with your advisor to understand how this affects your plan.

Start by filling out a Request for Information (RFI) form to check if you're eligible. Also, apply for FFAFSA and don’t miss the DMC Foundation Scholarship deadline on April 30, 2026. 

• FAFSA Portal
• DMC Foundation Scholarship Application 

Confirm your residency by checking the District Map or complete a Request for Information (RFI) form to determine eligibility. The Admissions team will finalize your status during the Apply Texas application process.

Definitions

• In-District: You are considered in-district if you reside within the Del Mar College service area, regardless of property ownership. 
• Out-of-District: You are considered out-of-district if you reside outside the Del Mar College service area, regardless of property ownership within the service area. Eligibility for the program is based on your primary residence. 

You may change your major up to two times. There is an appeals process for dropping below full-time enrollment. Ongoing communication with academic advisors is crucial to navigate these changes and retain eligibility.

While focusing on one major is recommended, if you’re considering a double major, discuss it with your academic advisor to determine the best path. 

Absolutely! Mix and match 16-week, 8-week courses, and Maymester courses during fall and spring semesters. Just keep your total credits at 12 or more per semester.

Summer enrollment is optional but available if you want to get ahead. During summer terms (Summer I or Summer II), you can enroll in as few as 1 credit hour or up to 8 credit hours per term—there's no minimum requirement, and summer courses are covered by Freedom to Dream.

You may qualify for various waivers; however, only one waiver can be applied per term. Talk to the Cashier’s office to figure out the best option for you. 

DMC offers extensive support through academic advising, financial aid, counseling, access services for accommodations, and various student services to assist you throughout your educational journey. 

You can appeal through the VP of Student Affairs. Cases are considered individually to provide the necessary support for academic success. 

For more info, visit the Freedom to Dream Tuition Waiver web page or contact the VP of Student Affairs Office at studentaffairs@delmar.edu or call 361-698-2250.