About 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.
Interested in getting a head start on your college journey? The ACE program supports motivated high school students by providing access to college courses, academic guidance, and a clear pathway toward future goals.
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.
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, 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 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 are evaluated based on the student essay, recommendation forms, and other submitted materials. Applicants who meet the qualifications will also participate in an interview as part of the selection 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.
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 Dates
GCC’s ACE 2026 cohort application is now closed. Students selected to move forward to the next phase have already been notified. All ACE applicants are informed of their application status, regardless of acceptance.
Please keep an eye out for future dates, and note that recruitment for the ACE Program takes place each fall.
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.
Here is a guide to help you apply to GCC with step by step instructions.
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.
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.