Frequently Asked Questions

• What is ACE Scholars Services?

  ACE Scholars Services supports former foster youth in their efforts to obtain a college education at CSUSM. The program provides a variety of personalized services including advising, priority class registration, counseling, access to resources in the Jan and Esther Stearns Center for ACE Scholars, community building events, workshops and more.

• How do I know if I’m eligible to participate in the ACE Scholars Services program?

  Incoming CSUSM freshmen and transfer students who were in foster care at any time are invited to apply to the program. ACE also offers exceptions to those who were in legal guardianship. Contact us and we'll talk through more to see if you are eligible for our program. 

• Does ACE Scholars Services pay for my education costs?
  As a former foster youth, you may qualify for significant financial aid through a variety of grants in addition to receiving Extended Foster Care benefits; this typically provides ACE Scholars with the financial resources needed to meet most of the costs of their education expenses. Please note that certain state grants are dependent on students time within foster care. ACE Scholars Services does provide emergency financial assistance, textbook funds, and resources for a variety of scholarship opportunities. Feel free to contact us for more information.
• I was told college was free for former foster youth. Is this true?
  College is not automatically free for foster youth. However, many foster youth may qualify for "gift aid" which is money for college that does not need to be paid back. Gift aid can include grants, scholarships and other financial assistance that help cover college costs. 
  
  For more information about financial aid opportunities available to foster youth, visit the John Burton's Advocates for Youth (JBAY) website. JBAY provides detailed information about the different types of gift aid available, as well as the eligibility requirements for each program. 
• I applied for EOP, TRIO SSS, CAMP and other student services. What's different about ACE Scholars Services?

  Many of our ACE Scholars do qualify for mutliple specialized programs on-campus, such as EOP, TRIO SSS and more. However, at CSUSM, students are able to actively participate in one specialized program on-campus. ACE Scholars Services tailors their support specifically for students with experience in foster care where ACE Scholars feel a sense of belonging, community and guidance based on their unique needs. Some supportive services ACE provides are: 

  • Priority registration throughout your entire time you are at CSUSM; ACE Scholars are the first students to get first pick of their classes out of everyone on campus.
  • Priority housing, each year, ensuring you are not placed in the lottery system and are reserved a bed space.
  • Navigating financial aid assistance, specifically with the Chafee Grant and other foster youth state grants.
  • Connect with a community of peers who have similar life experiences and understand the unique challenges and strengths that come with being in foster care. 
  • Access to our ACE Center: free supplies, free printing, free snacks!
  • On-campus employment opportunities through ACE Working-Scholarship Program. 
  • Learn how to access support services through seminars and workshops- introducing you to valuable on-campus and community resources to help you thrive in college.
  • $200 ACE Book Scholarship each semester, contigent on fulfilling ACE program requirements.
  • and more! 

  Check out more information visiting the Prospective Students page. 

• How do I apply for ACE Scholar Services?
  To apply, complete and submit our online ACE Scholars Services Program Application.
• When do I apply for ACE Scholars Services?

  If you are an incoming freshmen, apply in the Fall semester of high school senior year. Transfer students should apply in the Fall a year prior to their planned transfer. Following review of your application, it will be necessary for you to submit Verification of Dependency documenting your foster care placement. 

  *Please note: Applications to attend CSUSM must be submitted between October 1st and November 30th; refer to Cal State Apply for more information about the CSU application process.

• When will I know if I am accepted into the ACE Scholars Services program?
  Applicants who have applied to ACE Scholars, meet CSU eligibility criteria, and have received “conditional admission” status at CSUSM will be scheduled to attend a personal campus tour and interview with ACE Scholars staff, usually in February or March.  This is the final step in the application process so you will know if you are accepted into the ACE Scholars Services program at that point.
• Can I change my mind about attending CSUSM if I have applied to ACE Scholars Services?
  Your application to ACE Scholars Services does not mean that you are obligated to attend CSUSM if you change your mind.    
• Do ACE Scholars live in CSUSM student housing?
  Freshmen ACE Scholars are required to live in CSUSM student housing during their first Fall and Spring Semesters. ACE Scholars who are participating in Extended Foster Care may be eligible to apply for the reduced cost CSUSM THP+FC housing option. Students who do not fulfill housing program requirement may not be eligible for certain services when they start CSUSM. Feel free to contact us to get more information. 
• What is ACE Summer Institute and do I have to attend?
  ACE Summer Institute is a 5-day summer program for CSUSM incoming freshmen designed to strengthen community and academic skills. Students attend workshops, community building activities and reside in on-campus housing during Summer Institute. It is also an opportunity to meet other CSUSM students and to connect with campus resources. Attendance in Summer Institute is a program requirement for all ACE Scholars freshmen.
• Does being an ACE Scholar make me different from the rest of the students at CSUSM?
  At CSUSM, as an ACE Scholar you are a college student who has the benefit of receiving specialized supportive services. You will find that the CSUSM campus is friendly and diverse; ACE Scholars feel welcome and comfortable within the CSUSM student community. ACE Scholars are involved in athletics, student government, residence life and a variety of campus clubs and activities. Often an ACE Scholar will grow to feel a sense of pride that s/he was able to beat the odds to achieve the goal of becoming a successful college student. In our experience, many ACE Scholars seek opportunities to share their personal stories as a way to support and inspire others; most feel proud of their connection to ACE Scholars Services and the support they receive from the program.