The ACE Program at Maricopa Community Colleges
Maricopa Community Colleges mission is to work collectively and responsibly to provide accessible higher education for our diverse student body and local communities. The nationally-recognized Achieving a College Education (ACE) program serves over 100 local high schools and helps high school students earn a college degree. ACE was created in the valley 33 years ago to demonstrate our commitment to attainable college goals for all.
High school sophomores are recruited to participate in ACE during their junior and senior years. Once accepted into the program, ACE students are concurrently enrolled in high school and college courses, attending college classes during the summer and on Saturdays during the school year. ACE students can earn up to 24 college credits by the time they graduate from high school and can continue with Maricopa Community Colleges or transfer to a university to earn their bachelor’s degree. ACE students experience success!
Here is What ACE Students Have Achieved in the Past Five Years
Graduation Rates
- 92% of ACE students graduate on time
- The average high school GPA is 3.03
- Our students have earned an average of 23 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
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.
At the college's discretion, student interviews may be conducted as part of the application process.
This program is not restricted to participants on any protected basis, including race, color, or national origin. All individuals are encouraged to apply and participate.
How to Apply
What’s needed for the application:
- Completed application form
- Two complete recommendations (full name and email address)
- Personal essay (300 words)
- College Student Information Release form
- Unofficial high school transcripts
The completed application will be evaluated based on the selection criteria listed above. Note: Some schools have an interview process.
Students will be notified if their application was accepted (either by email or mail), put on an alternate list or was incomplete.
Students who are accepted into the ACE program will receive a scholarship offer. They will then contact their preferred college to accept the scholarship and attend a mandatory New ACE Student/Parent Orientation.