Texas State and Lamar State College Orange Gateway Program

The Gateway Program is a co-enrollment opportunity between Texas State University (TXST) and Lamar State College Orange (LSCO). It allows students to begin their college journey on the Texas State University San Marcos campus while completing coursework at both institutions.

• Guaranteed admission to Texas State University upon successful completion (no reapplication required)
• Estimated tuition savings of approximately $6,600 in the first year
• Access to TXST and LSCO student services, including IDs, libraries, and campus events

After you sign and submit the offer form by the deadline, you will receive a next steps email that outlines your steps. Some of those steps include signing up for NSO, satisfying your Bacterial Meningitis requirement, taking care of your housing, and submitting your official final high school transcript. 

To successfully complete the program, a student must: 

• Complete two long semester (Fall and Spring);
• Maintain a minimum 2.25 GPA at TXST and LSCO;
• Compete at least 28 total credit hours including
  • 4-5 credit hours from TXST 
  • 24 transferable credit hours from LSCO

No, you do not have to reapply for admission once you have successfully completed the program.

No. Completion guarantees admission to Texas State University, but not to a specific major or college. 

Students would not be able to continue at TXST. Students would have to reapply as a transfer student for a future semester. Students may continue at LSCO based on their discretion. 

All classes, including those from LSCO, will be held on the San Marcos campus of Texas State University after 5 p.m. in Jowers Center.

Fall semester: University Seminar (US1100) at TXST plus 12 LSCO transferable courses.

Spring semester: 3-4 TXST hours plus 12 LSCO transferable courses.

To ensure students have the opportunity to also earn their associate degree from LSCO, it is recommended that students complete two courses (six total credit hours), online or face-to-face in San Marcos, with LSCO over the summer (after completing their fall/spring semesters in the program).

Students not TSI-satisfied may be required to take development coursework.

You will be withdrawn from TXST for the semester and lose access to TXST student privileges for that term. 

Yes, sign-up and completion of New Student Orientation (NSO) is required. Find more information about NSO.

Students will complete their FAFSA and send it to Texas State University (Title IV School Code: 003615)

No, TXST will process your FAFSA and offer you financial aid. Your aid will be based on the combined enrollment from TXST and LSCO.

Yes, financial aid may be available, however, Gateway students are not eligible for TXST scholarships or the Bobcat Promise at Texas State University for the first year of the program. Students can apply for continuing student scholarships for the 2nd and subsequent years at TXST. 

Students are responsible for paying separate tuition and fees to both TXST and LSCO and must meet each school’s payment deadline. Failure to do so results in removal from the program. 

Payment deadlines and other important dates can be found here for TXST. For LSCO, deadline and important dates can be found here. 

No. Gateway students are not eligible for on-campus housing at this time. 

Incoming Fall 2026 students have the opportunity join the Gateway Housing Interest List by logging into their TXST Housing Portal. Fall 2026 Gateway housing is located at Copper Beech, an off-campus apartment complex. 

Housing & Residential Life will reach out to you if a spot opens up to allow you to complete the housing contract to secure your space at Copper Beech.

You can get assistance in finding off-campus at the Off-Campus Housing Marketplace.

The Gateway Program lasts one academic year (fall to spring).

Please refer to the date on your Gateway offer. Spaces for this program are limited and are expected to be filled by July 15.