Alma College Community Engagement Scholarship

The ACE Scholarship

The ACE scholar program offers up to 20 full-tuition awards annually to graduating high school seniors from Gratiot, Isabella and Montcalm counties. It aims to foster a sense of belonging, while encouraging student reflection about civic responsibility as a form of vocational exploration, as well as create a sustainable relationship between Alma College and local community partners.

Each recipient will create an individualized plan for completing their community engagement, meet and collaborate with Center for College and Community Engagement staff and reflect on the experience at the end of each semester.

Who is eligible to apply?

You are eligible if:

1. You are a resident of Gratiot, Isabella or Montcalm counties.

OR

2. You will graduate from a high school within Gratiot, Isabella or Montcalm counties.

AND

2. You demonstrate financial need as determined by the Deportment of Education.

What are my first steps?

To get the process started, please complete the items below. Once you have completed the items, and your eligibility has been determined, your admissions representative will provide you with further information and next steps.

1. Apply for admission and be accepted to Alma College.
2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
   • A primary component of eligibility for the scholarship is financial need, which is determined by your FAFSA information.  The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opening on or before December 1, 2024.
3. Complete the ACE scholarship acknowledgement form.

Formal Application Process

Upon review of your admissions application and FAFSA information, we’ll verify if you’re eligible to move forward with the formal ACE application process.

The application process includes pre-prompted questions to give students the opportunity to express their interest in the ACE program and service opportunities they have  been a part of.  In addition to the written portion, we ask students to submit at least 2 letters of recommendation.  The deadline to submit the application and letters of recommendation is March 18, 2025. Any application materials submitted after this deadline will not be considered.

Applications will be reviewed by our Center for College and Community Engagement staff.  Selected students will be asked to come to campus for an in-person interview. If selected as a finalist, you will need to attend in person for your final review.

Up to 15 students will be selected for this full tuition* scholarship.