Grants and Scholarships

American College of Education (ACE) offers various institutional Grant/Scholarship funds which are educational in nature and are awarded by the College to fulfill our mission of providing high-quality, affordable, and accessible online education to current and future ACE students.  

ACE Scholarships 

New and current ACE students are eligible for the following Scholarships. A full list of scholarship eligibility requirements is available in the scholarship application.  

Please note once an application for admission has been completed, you will then have access to MyACE Portal to submit your scholarship(s) application for a Board of Trustee, General, or HBCU scholarship. 

Board of Trustee Scholarships  

Open to New or Current Degree or Certificate-Seeking Students in All Programs and Majors 

Each term, ACE offers eleven (7) total $500 Board of Trustee scholarships to be awarded to eligible and enrolled students. These scholarship opportunities are inspired by ACE’s seven current and past Board of Trustees members. 

• The Dr. Deborah Jewell-Sherman Scholarship is awarded to a student within a multicultural school system or other organization and who demonstrates exemplary leadership. 

• The Dr. Don McAdams Scholarship is awarded to a student who is interested in becoming a change agent by stepping into a leadership role. 

• The Dr. Rod Paige Scholarship is awarded to an urban teacher who has demonstrated commitment to transforming the student experience. 

• The Admiral Thomas B. Hayward Scholarship (Honorary) is awarded to a student who is an active or retired military service person, spouse, or family member who demonstrates honor, courage, and commitment. 

• The Dr. James Spaniolo Scholarship (Honorary) is awarded to a first-generation student who was the first person in their family to attend college and desires to support other first-generation college students in their pursuit of academic excellence. 

• The Dr. Kenneth Craycraft Scholarship (Honorary) is awarded to a student who demonstrates a strong record of volunteerism. 

• The Dr. Robert Peterkin Scholarship (Honorary) is awarded to a student with financial need who wants to transform their organization by advancing their education. 

General Scholarships 

Open to New and Current Degree or Certificate-Seeking Students in Specific Programs and Majors  

Each term, ACE offers eleven (4) total $500 general scholarships to be awarded to eligible and enrolled students. These scholarship opportunities are inspired by ACE’s four major areas of focus, and its core values of social responsibility. 

• The Leadership General Scholarship opportunity is open to students who are or will be pursuing careers or experiences in leadership. 

• The Education General Scholarship opportunity is open to students who are or will be pursuing careers or experiences in education. 

• The Healthcare General Scholarship opportunity is open to students who are or will be pursuing careers or experiences in healthcare. 

• The Diversity and Inclusion General Scholarship opportunity is open to students who are or will be pursuing careers or experiences involving diverse populations. 

Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) Scholarships  

Open to New Degree-Seeking Students in Education Programs who graduated from a historically black college or university (HBCU) 

Each year, two (2) full scholarships covering full program tuition and fees (excluding application and conferral fees) may be awarded to eligible new students applying to an education program for the August term. One (1) scholarship is designated for a master’s level applicant and one (1) scholarship is designated for a doctoral level applicant. 

Only new students who graduated from a historically black college or university (HBCU) and are starting their first class at ACE during the August term are eligible for ACE HBCU Scholarships. 

Educator Scholarship 

Open to New Degree-Seeking Students in Initial Teacher Educator Preparation Programs  

Available to students who are new applicants to the M.A. in Elementary Teaching, M.A. in Secondary Teaching, Transition to Teaching in Elementary Education Certificate, and Transition to Teaching in Secondary Education Certificate. 

An eligible student will qualify to receive the Educator Scholarship Award for the first term upon program enrollment. 

ACE Grants 

Continuing Education Grant 

Open to Returning Degree or Certificate-Seeking Students in All Programs and Majors* 

Available to students who have completed an ACE micro-credential, certificate or degree program, the Continuing Education Grant allows students to return for an additional ACE certificate or degree program at reduced tuition rates. Based on student’s program of interest, they will be eligible for one of the following grants:

You must claim your Continuing Education Grant before you begin the first term in your next ACE program. Please contact an enrollment counselor at 1-800-280-0307 option 2 for more information, or to claim your grant. 

Partnership Grant 

Open to Eligible Employees, Members or Graduates of ACE Partners in All Programs and Majors* 

Available each term to the employees, members or graduates from the various organizations or institutions that ACE has entered into an educational partnership. The amount of the grant will be applied to a student’s tuition pro-rata by term. Based on student’s program of interest, they will be eligible for one of the following grants:   

You must select your organization or institution during the admission application process to claim your grant. If your organization or institution is not currently listed, please contact an enrollment counselor at 1-800-280-0307 option 2 for more information on ACE Partners. 

*The Continuing Education Grant and Partnership Grant does not apply to the RN to BSN program. 

BSN to MSN New Student Grant 

Open to New Students in the BSN to MSN program* 

Available to students who are new applicants to the BSN to MSN program. The New Student Nursing Program Grant of $135 per credit will be applied to tuition pro-rata per term.  

You must claim your BSN to MSN New Student Grant before you begin the first term. Please contact an enrollment counselor at 1-800-280-0307 option 2 for more information, or to claim your grant. 

*RN to BSN applicants and students are not eligible for this grant. 

Notes: 

• Unless specified above, both Scholarship and Grant awards are applied to tuition only and are disbursed pro rata per term. Students will be responsible for paying all fees, the remaining program tuition costs not covered by the grant or scholarship, and any additional costs associated with the program selected. Scholarship and Grant Awards have no cash value. Course retakes are excluded.  
• Should grant or scholarship recipients fail to: (a) begin their program, (b) withdraw, or (c) be administratively withdrawn from American College Education, recipients may forfeit all future disbursements of an award regardless of whether they reenter or am readmitted to the program. 
• Unless specified above, students who are awarded a scholarship or grant at ACE may also be eligible for other grants or scholarship programs. If you need more information about grants and scholarship opportunities, please contact Student Services.