About ACE
The nationally recognized Achieving a College Education (ACE) program is an opportunity for high school students to get a jump start on their college education while still in high school. Through scholarship support, students can earn up to 24 college credits. The completed courses apply towards an Associates degree and/or university transfer degree. Some students may even earn a certificate while in the program. Participants benefit from one-on-one academic advising, cohorted classes that foster peer support, and opportunities to attend cultural events, guest speakers, workshops, and gain exposure to college programs and academic pathways. This program allows students to begin working toward an Associates degree, helping them achieve their educational goals more quickly while gaining valuable college experience and preparing for future success.
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.
If you would like someone to connect with you and share more about the program, including eligibility, next steps, and important deadlines, please complete the ACE Interest Form. A representative from our Early Outreach program will follow up with additional information to help guide you through the process.
What to expect as an ACE student?
The ACE Program is a two-year early college scholarship program that helps students prepare for college success while earning college credit in high school. As an ACE student, you will participate in a structured academic experience designed to build your confidence, college readiness, and educational opportunities.
During your junior and senior years, you will take in-person college courses while continuing to attend your regular high school classes. Students complete two college courses Monday-Thursday during the summer term (June–July) and one college course each semester on Saturdays during the fall and spring terms (August–May). Throughout the program, you'll receive academic support, advising, career/degree exploration and opportunities to connect with peers, college faculty, and campus resources as you work toward your educational goals.
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to learn more!
Who should apply?
The ACE program is looking for high school sophomores who have taken at least 6 high school credits at the time of application submission and who meet at least one of the following criteria:
- First generation to attend college
- Living in a single-parent home, foster care, or temporary housing
- Experiencing economic hardship
- Environmental factors, such as working while attending high school, or is a teen parent
Applications will also be evaluated based on the following: recommender responses and student essay, etc.
ACE Application and Steps
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Recruitment Window
September - NovemberDuring the fall semester of your sophomore year, recruitment for the new ACE cohort begins. All high school sophomores are encouraged to apply for the GCC ACE Program.
See your high school counselor for more information or contact the ACE Program to receive an application.
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Application Workshops
November - JanuaryImportant Notice: Priority application deadline is November 20, 2026
Students that move onto the next step after application review will be invited to interview at the beginning of January.
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Admissions & Scholarship Offers
FebruaryAll ACE applicants are notified whether they have been preliminarily accepted into GCC's ACE Program.
Students who are accepted into the ACE program will receive a scholarship offer that they will need to accept.
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Required In-Person Orientations
March - MayNew ACE Cohort required orientations include the following:
- New ACE Student/Family Orientation
- New Student Summer Kick Off
- College Course Assessment Testing
Please review this step-by-step instructional guide to help you apply to GCC. If you are a first-time student to college and GCC (no Maricopa account), follow the steps below; all others move to Step 2.
As a first-time student to GCC, you must apply for admission to GCC at admissions.maricopa.edu. When completing the application, you must select Glendale Community College and term/semester (ex: Summer 2026).
Eligibility for in-state tuition is determined by submitting Acceptable Documents for Citizenship and having lived in Arizona for a minimum of one year.
If you have established citizenship but have not lived in Arizona for at least one year, a parent/guardian may complete the online form DOMICILE AFFIDAVIT - Dependent Student and provide the required documents on behalf of their dependent student for consideration of the in-state tuition rate. The student will sign into the online form using their [email protected] and password. You may need to approve your login via the Duo application. This form should be submitted before the registration deadline.
If you are experiencing issues with your MEID, the Your MEID page may have the answer you're looking for.
If you need help with Duo, student e-mail, maricopa.edu, or your MEID, the Maricopa District Student Help Desk offers 24-hour technical support.
Phone: 888-994-4433
Submit the online ACE application, which includes the following:
Before submitting your application, please refer to our application guide to ensure you have all pieces to your application.
- ACE program application (online)
- By using your Maricopa log in ([email protected]) to log in and complete the application steps.
- 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).
- Two (2) email addresses (one for each of your recommenders)
- 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 Guide to create your essay outline and assist you with the application.
Your ACE application will be evaluated based on the selection criteria and qualifications listed above. You will be notified by email to your Maricopa account, 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
Once the ACE team reviews your application and if you meet the qualifications, students will be invited to an interview as part of the application process.
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.
You and your parent/guardian will be required to attend a mandatory New ACE Student and Guardian/Parent Orientation.