FAQ: High School ACE Program

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High School ACE (Achieving a College Education) is Rio Salado College's scholarship program that assists at-risk high-school students with getting a head start on college. Students take hybrid and online college courses during their junior and senior years, allowing them to graduate with up to 24 college credits.

The High School ACE program is free to students. There is no charge for college tuition. Students must purchase required textbooks and pay the $15 registration fee every semester.

If you are selected to participate in the High School ACE program, all of your courses will be online in the following format:

  • Summer: Two classes
  • Fall: One class
  • Spring: One class
  • Summer: Two classes
  • Fall: One class
  • Spring: One class

You will take the Accuplacer test for English (writing) and Reading. The Accuplacer test is computerized and it is NOT timed. Practice tests and worksheets will help you prepare.

The Youth Ace Program give students a head start on college. Students can earn up to 24 college credits during their junior and senior high school years. While attending Rio Salado College and high school, students in the program also benefit by becoming part of a cohort, giving them an opportunity to socialize with their peers, be a part of an eLearning community and attend workshops that are only open to Youth ACE participants. 

Students are recruited for the program during their high school sophomore year. The student must be a high school sophomore and meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • First generation to attend college
  • Living in single parent home, foster care or temporary housing
  • Economic hardship
  • Underrepresented group 
  • Legacy-sibling or relative of an ACE participant 
  • Works 10-30 hours per week
  • Teen parent
  • Voluntarily discloses physical/mental disabilities