Welcome! We're excited to have you as a GateWay Gecko 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 to assist students in making a seamless transition from high school into community college and then to transfer into a four-year university to complete a baccalaureate degree.
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Program Applicant Requirements
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.
The Benefits of Being an ACE Student
- Get a jump start on earning college credit
- Cultural events, guest speakers, workshops, and field trips
- One-on-one advising
- Cohorted classes
- On-campus experience and resources: tutoring, counseling, library, computer lab, and more
Participants in the ACE Program will also receive the following:
- Paid Tuition, earn up to 24-college credits
- Bus Passes
Application Steps
- Complete and submit an online application.
What is needed for the application:-
Two complete recommendations (full name and email address)
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Personal essay (300 words)
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College Student Information Release form
- Unofficial high school transcripts
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- Your completed application will be evaluated per the selection criteria listed above.
- You will be notified by letter of the status of your application by February of your sophomore year.
- Students who are accepted into the ACE program, you will receive a scholarship offer to attend the GateWay ACE program their junior and senior year.
- You will be required to attend a mandatory New ACE Student/Parent Orientation.
Priority Deadline: Friday, December 15, 2024
Use the "Apply Now" button to create an account and start your ACE application
Use the "Return to Application" to return to a saved application.
Student Resources
Program Contact Information
ACE Office Location
GateWay Community College - Washington Campus
Main Building, Room MA1300
108 North 40th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85034
Phone: (602) 286-8195
Email: [email protected]
Hours of Operation
Fall and Spring Semester
Tuesday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunday & Monday: Closed
Summer Semester
Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday – Sunday: Closed