Prospective Students

Others look at where you came from... We look at where you’re going.

We understand that the thought of attending and graduating from college may seem overwhelming, or even impossible — but it doesn't have to be. We're here to help.

Think of ACE Scholars Services as your home base. A place where you can be yourself. A place where people can truly relate to who you are because they're on a similar journey. A place filled with unconditional support and guidance.

Nearly 60 former foster youth call ACE home at ��.

Why �� & ACE Scholars Services?

Our students have an 86% persistence rate — far more than the national average of 50%. That's because, unlike many universities, we provide former foster youth with an incredible amount of personalized service and support, including:

Personal help with college entrance forms, including: Admissions, Financial Aid, and Scholarship Applications
Academic, career, and personal counseling
Priority registration
Year-round, on-campus housing (Apartment-style with a kitchen)
Career development and internship opportunities
Financial assistance
Transfer Scholarships
Social activities
Personal development training
Career assistance after graduation

What are the application requirements for freshmen?

�� now offers a "front-of-the-line-pass" to foster youth from every region of California. This Priority Admission benefit is open to high school seniors who meet the following criteria:

Applies to ACE Scholars Services by completing the ACE Program Application Form. Following review of the application, it will be necessary to submit a Verification of Dependency Letter documenting foster care placement.
Completes all college preparatory A-G coursework.
Meets the minimum CSU requirements.
Applies to �� on between October 1st – November 30th.
Was in foster care at any time and can provide a Verification of Dependency Letter documenting foster care placement.*

* Not sure if you qualify for ACE? Contact ACE and we'll talk it through. Exceptions to the eligibility criteria will be reviewed on an individual basis. Complete the ACE Exception Form (PDF) and submit it to the ACE office to be considered for an exception.

What are the application requirements for transfer students?

�� now offers a "front-of-the-line pass" to foster youth who are ready to transfer from any California Community College. This Priority Admission benefit is open to community college students who meet the following criteria:

Applies to ACE Scholars Services by completing the ACE Program Application Form. Following review of the application, it will be necessary to submit a Verification of Dependency Letter documenting foster care placement.
Review the and .
If applying as an Upper-Division Transfer make sure you have completed 60 or more transferable semester units by the end of spring.**
Earned a cumulative transfer GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Completed the four general education courses, known as the “Golden Four”, with a “C” grade or higher (Oral Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking, Mathematics or Quantitative Reasoning)**
Applies to �� on between October 1st – December 15th.
Was in foster care at any time and can provide a Verification of Dependency Letter documenting foster care placement.*

** Please contact ACE Scholars Services for individual consultation and exemption considerations for these requirements.

I'm sold. How do I get started?

We recommend that you apply to ACE Scholars Services first so that we can assist you in applying to ��. You can do so online at any time using our ACE Program Application Form. If you have any questions about the form, or need assistance with it, please contact ACE Staff — we're here to help.

After you've applied to ACE, you then must apply to �� online via between October 1st – December 15th. Make sure to also stay up to date with the with information on application extension deadlines (if any). This is critically important — there are no exceptions! If you've been accepted into ACE, but don't apply to �� during those dates, you won't be accepted and enrolled at the University and will have to wait another year.

Finally, be sure to take a look at our comprehensive checklist of Application Steps for Former Foster Youth (Freshmen or Transfer) where we've listed important steps you'll need to take throughout the application process.