Tarleton State and Catholic Charities Formed Partnership

The organizations partnered to provide student support through the Stay the Course model.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Financial Aid

Bold vector editorial illustration of intersecting wooden arches and a compass, representing student support and academic guidance. — Catholic Charities Fort Worth and Tarleton State University have formed a partnership to provide financial and academic support to students. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Catholic Charities Fort Worth and Tarleton State University have established a new partnership to implement the Stay the Course student support model. This initiative provides students with individual case management and financial assistance to help address non-academic barriers to success.

Why it matters

The collaboration aims to boost economic mobility by helping students overcome obstacles that prevent them from staying enrolled and graduating. By integrating these services, the institutions seek to improve long-term academic outcomes for the student body.

A study found students using the Stay the Course model are four times more likely to graduate than peers. Additionally, 35 percent of female participants in the study successfully completed a degree or credential within three years.

The players

Catholic Charities Fort Worth

Founded in 1910, this organization provides social services and support systems to individuals and families throughout the region.

Tarleton State University

Operating for 127 years, this institution serves a total of 28,000 students across multiple campuses including Fort Worth, Stephenville, Waco, and Bryan.

The details

The program utilizes dedicated navigators to provide case management and strategic financial aid to students who face life challenges. This partnership officially formalizes the collaboration between Catholic Charities Fort Worth and the university to extend these resources.

October 6, 2026: University and community leaders signed a memorandum of understanding.

Culture Shift

The partnership follows the implementation pattern established by the Stay the Course student support model, a program designed to reduce educational attrition. This initiative reflects a broader societal shift toward prioritizing wraparound services to improve degree completion rates.

Students at the Fort Worth campus will gain access to personalized case management and financial resources designed to keep them enrolled. These services aim to reduce the pressure of non-academic barriers that often force students to drop out.

The takeaway

This partnership highlights how community-based social services can directly improve higher education retention rates. Students should explore if their institution offers similar navigators or support programs to address unexpected financial hurdles.