Gateway to College

Your Connection to College

Gateway to College students with Gateway T-shirt next to Admissions Office sign

Do you want to finish high school while getting a head start on college?

The Gateway to College program at 博彩网站 offers an alternative to traditional high school, allowing you to obtain a high school diploma while earning college credits. If you've faced challenges in a traditional high school setting, whether you're currently homeschooled, attending public or private school, or had to leave school early, this program could be your perfect fit.

With the Gateway to College scholarship, you can complete your high school requirements and start earning college credits simultaneously. Some students even go on to complete certificates, associate degrees, or transfer to four-year colleges.

Funded by Springfield Public Schools, this scholarship covers tuition, books, and fees. Plus, you'll have a dedicated academic counselor to support you through the college experience, help with any academic challenges, and connect you with resources to ensure your success.

Benefits of Gateway

  • College Experience: Take courses with professors and experience college life.
  • Earn Credits: Accumulate transferable credits for degrees or certificates.
  • Campus Resources: Access tutoring, library, computer labs, clubs, and fitness center.
  • Personalized Support: Smaller student body with individualized assistance.
  • Flexible Schedule: Fewer courses per semester than in high school.
  • Full Scholarship: Covers tuition, books, and fees.

Program Eligibility Requirements

This scholarship is available to high school students ages 16 to 20 who meet any of the following criteria:

  • Have faced challenges in a traditional high school setting
  • Are behind in high school
  • Left high school before earning a diploma
  • Students who attend public, private, charter, or homeschool are eligible

Additional Requirements:

  • Must read at an 8th-grade level or higher
  • Must reside in Springfield, MA
  • Must have some high school credits

To learn more about the program’s expectations and benefits, click the dropdown below (Step 1) to watch the information session. Afterward, complete the questionnaire and proceed to the next step to submit your application.

How to Apply

The following steps are required to apply:

Students interested in applying to Gateway to College are required to watch our pre-recorded information session and answer a brief questionnaire. This is the first step to apply. Please click the link below.

Pre-Recorded Information Session

You will receive a link to the application AFTER watching the pre-recorded information session and answering the questionnaire. The application is detailed and requires a significant investment of time and effort.

You will need to:

  1. Submit Three Formal Essays:
    • Essay 1 (at least 300 words): Explain your interest in the Gateway to College Program at Springfield Technical Community College, how the program aligns with your goals, and why the selection committee should choose you.
    • Essay 2 (at least 300 words): Define perseverance and describe a personal experience where you demonstrated this quality. What did you learn from that experience?
    • Essay 3 (at least 300 words): Discuss past personal challenges that have affected your education and the steps you have taken to overcome them (e.g., attitude, behavior, motivation, skills, support).
  2. Provide Contact Information:
    • Contact information and email addresses for your parent/guardian, high school counselor or guidance department, and someone who will recommend you.

Important: Please be sure to include all of the required information. The details and quality of your responses give the selection committee a clearer picture of you and assist us in processing your application faster.

Eligible students who have attended an information session and applied will be scheduled to take the college placement test. 

  • The college placement test takes about 2 hours and will assess reading, writing, and math skills.
  • Students must bring a photo ID and their social security number.

This test evaluates your readiness for the program and determines class placement if you are accepted. Visit the Placement Assessments page to learn more about the college placement test and how to prepare for it. If your scores meet the minimum requirement, you will proceed to the next step. If your scores do not meet the requirement you will be notified.

Once you submit a complete application and take the college placement test, we will send your information to the school district for review if your scores meet the requirements. The school district must approve each student before moving to the next step. After we receive their response, we’ll reach out to schedule an interview.

If you are eligible to be considered for the Gateway scholarship, you will be scheduled for an interview. Your interview will be with members of the Gateway staff. This helps us to learn more about you, your strengths, and your motivations. You will also have a chance to ask questions about the program. Interviews are generally about 30-60 minutes long.

The final step to be officially accepted for the program is to complete Gateway Prep (a three-day college prep session) and receive final approval from the school district. The selection committee will notify applicants about final decisions.

Linda Fernandez in Gateway to College Cap and SashWith the help of my Gateway to College family, I was able to finish high school from an early college program. Their never-ending support and determination made it a little easier for me to get up every morning and never give up. I graduated high school with a GPA of 3.3 and I am now grateful to say that I’m a first generation college student! Linda Fernandez, 2018 Gateway to College graduate

Commencement

We recognize the hard work and achievements of our graduates with video presentations from our commencement speakers, a list of graduating student award winners, graduate profiles, and messages of encouragement from faculty and staff on the 2024 Gateway to College Commencement page.

Past Classes

Special Education (IEP) Services

Gateway to College does not discriminate against students with disabilities. We request that students with an IEP or 504 plan submit copies of the plan with their application so that we may refer them to the 博彩网站 Office of Disabilities. Together with their families and doctors or other practitioners, students should consider whether the services and accommodations available on a college campus will best serve their needs.

Gateway to College Staff

Contact

Building 8
Phone: 413-755-4581 
FAX: 413-755-6318
Email: gateway@518331.com
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Mailing Address

Gateway to College
Springfield Technical Community College
One Armory Square
Suite 1, P.O. Box 9000
Springfield, MA 01102-9000