ACE

The Achieving a College Education (ACE) Program is a nationally recognized scholarship program that allows students to earn up to 24 college credits by the time they graduate high school. Students can continue with Maricopa Community Colleges or transfer to a university to earn their bachelor’s degree.

Program Goals

The ACE Program will prepare you to:

• Graduate from high school with support from ACE
• Transfer to a Maricopa Community College and/or a university
• Work towards earning a certificate and/or a degree

What to expect as an ACE student?

ACE is an early college two-year scholarship preparation program designed to help first-generation, underrepresented, financially disadvantaged college-bound students succeed.

The mission of the ACE Program is to academically prepare students, increase graduation rates among first-generation college-bound students, and assist students in making a seamless transition from high school into community college and university transfer to complete a baccalaureate degree.

Who qualifies?

• First-generation college students
• Students from a single-parent home
• Experiencing economic hardship
• Environmental factors, such as working 10 to 30 hours per week while attending high school, living in foster care or temporary housing, experiencing homelessness, or being a teen parent.

As an ACE student, you will have access to a wealth of FREE on-campus resources, including tutoring, counseling, library, computer lab, and more. We are here to support you every step of the way, ensuring you have all the tools and resources needed throughout your academic journey.

Benefits of an ACE student

• Get a jump start with earning college credit
• Receive a scholarship to earn up to 24 college credits
• Complete college courses you can apply towards university transfer degree
• Attend cultural events, guest speakers, workshops, and field trips
• One-on-one advising
• Cohorted classes
• Ability to work towards an Associate’s degree
• Achieve educational goals in a shorter time

Important Deadlines

• The 2025-2026 ACE application is now Open!
• Priority application deadline: December 16, 2024.
• The application will remain open until spots are filled.
• Acceptance notifications: February - March 2025

ACE Application Steps

GCC ACE accepts applications from currently enrolled sophomore high school students in the fall semester. All high school sophomores are encouraged to apply for the ACE Program.

Step 1: Submit the online ACE application, which includes the following:

• ACE program application (online)
  • Create an account, be sure to use a personal email address that you have access to. Do not use your high school email.
  • Unofficial high school transcripts
  • Proof of age (under 18) – Provide a government-issued photo ID online
  • Proof of residency – Provide documentation verifying your citizenship and residency status online. Non-U.S. citizens can still apply.
• Two (2) completed recommendation forms
  • Two (2) email addresses (one for each of your recommenders)
    • This form is to be completed by an adult not related to the ACE Program candidate such as a high school counselor, teacher, employer, coach, or pastor (at least one must be a current teacher).
    • Recommendations CANNOT come from a family member(s) or family/personal friend(s).
• Personal essay
  • Be specific in your answer. We want to hear about you, your story, and why you would like to participate in this program. The minimum word count is 300. Please refer to the GCC ACE Application Worksheet to create your essay outline and assist you with the application.

        Apply Now        

Use the "Apply Now" button to create an account and start your ACE application

Step 2: Your ACE application will be evaluated based on the selection criteria and qualifications listed above. You will be notified by email if your application was accepted,if you were placed on an alternate (wait) list (which means you are not accepted immediately but may be considered if a spot becomes available) or if your application was incomplete.

The completed application for the ACE Program consists of the following:

ACE Programs Application

• Two (2) Recommendations
• Essay Section
• Education and Record Release/Statement of Commitment, this section includes an Education and Record Release form, which allows us to verify your academic records and a Statement of Commitment, which is your pledge to fully participate in the ACE program and adhere to its rules and requirements.
• Unofficial high school transcript

Step 3: If accepted into the ACE program, you will receive a scholarship offer to attend the Glendale Community College ACE program for your junior and senior years of high school.

Step 4: You will be required to attend a mandatory New ACE Student and Guardian/Parent Orientation.

ACE Student Achievement Over the Past Five Years

Graduation Rates

• 92% of ACE students graduate on time
• The average high school GPA is 3.03
• Students have earned an average of 24 college credits at high school graduation
• The average college GPA while in the ACE program is 3.00

Transfer to a Maricopa Community College or University

• 72% go on to college
• 48% continue at Maricopa Community Colleges

Degree or Certificate Completion

• 56% completed a degree/certificate or were still enrolled in college after program completion.

Contact Us

Questions? Contact the ACE program:

aceplus@gccaz.edu or 623-845-3094