ACE (Achieving a College Education)

Achieving a College Education (ACE) is a scholarship program to help high school students earn college credit while learning skills to be a successful college student. Successful ACE students can possibly earn 24-college credits by the end of two years, become familiar with college life, gain tools for success socially, academically, and personally.

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 essays, 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.
 

The ACE Scholarship covers all tuition.

Parents/Students must pay for all Registration and class fees each semester and any books needed for their class.

If you applied and are on our alternate list, you can choose to be in the program as a Self-Pay student. The student will participate in the ACE program and receive all the benefits of being in ACE without receiving the ACE Scholarship. The students will still be responsible for participating in all ACE Institute activities (study lab, tutoring and workshops).

If you are selected to participate in the ACE program, you will attend college classes during the following semesters during your junior and senior year of high school:

All classes taken in the ACE program are General Education Courses that all college students take. (English, Reading, Humanities, Social & Behavioral, Communications, Computer Science courses)

Credit hours from all 100-level college courses or above can be used towards completing an Associate Degree at Maricopa Community Colleges. The credits earned are also transferable to any accredited college or university. If you are planning to attend a college/university outside of the state it is recommended that you check with them on how many credits they will accept.

• Dual Enrollment.: SMCC’s Dual Enrollment Program is a great way for high school juniors and seniors to get a head start on their college education.
• HOOP Program: Like the ACE program but this program is to empower American Indian students to complete high school and transition successfully to higher education.

1. Recommendations: First/Last name and email of two (2) people that will Recommend you to the program (teacher, coach, counselor, someone that knows you well academically & socially) no family members.
2. Unofficial High School Transcript (this is to verify the number of credits you have)
3. Essay (300 words): How will participating in the ACE Program help you reach the goal you have set for yourself?
   • Be specific in your answer, we want to hear about you, your story and why you would like to participate in this program.  Be sure to include:
     • Your future career, education and personal goals and why you would want to accomplish them.
     • Any obstacles that may slow you down
     • Why you believe that college is important to you
     • Your personal achievements (in and out of school)
     • Challenges (currently or that you’ve overcome)
     • A person, event, or endeavor that has significantly influenced your life while attending high school.
     • How this program will help you reach your goals.

Students will be notified by email if their application was incomplete, accepted, or put on the alternate list.

Students who are accepted into the ACE program will receive a scholarship offer. They will need to accept the scholarship and attend a mandatory New ACE Student/Parent Orientation and complete the needed assessments for class placement before starting the program.

An opportunity to take classes with other ACE/Hoop students.  In the first year, your cohort takes classes designed to provide knowledge, safety, and skills in the carpentry construction trade.  It introduces common construction skills, including safety, codes, construction drawings, tools, walls, flooring, and roof systems. The second year you begin your studies in Electrical which provides beginning knowledge, safety, and skills in the electrical construction trade. This program is an introduction to common construction including tools, safety, codes, installation of circuitry, equipment, construction drawings, and a basic understanding of electricity.

You will complete the program with a Certificate of Carpentry and Electrical which can lead you to employment as carpentry or electrical technicians on residential and commercial job sites.

You must apply during your Sophomore year of high school. The program meets 5 weeks during the summer semester and every Saturday for 14 weeks during the fall and spring semesters.