American Career College Scholarships & Grants

Scholarships and grants are other types of aid that can help students cover the cost of their education. Unlike student loans, grants and scholarships do not have to be repaid. American Career College offers a limited number of institutional scholarships for students who qualify. Unless otherwise noted, all ACC scholarships and grants are applied proportionately each payment period toward tuition and fees. Funds are limited and not all who apply will receive an award. There is no cash value for institutional awards. Students who receive an award but withdraw prior to completion of their academic degree programs will forfeit future disbursements. Disbursements will be reduced proportionately for any term in which a student enrolled in a degree program attempts less than 12 credits. Unless otherwise noted, ACC students are limited to one scholarship or grant award per enrollment. 

ACC AltaMed HRSA Workforce Diversity Matching Grant

This grant opportunity is offered to qualified applicants who are selected for a $5,000 HRSA Workforce Diversity Grant by AltaMed Health Services.
This $5,000 matching grant will be awarded to students selected by AltaMed Health Services for the HRSA Workforce Diversity Grant. ACC will be notified by AltaMed Health Services of the recipient(s) of the HRSA Workforce Diversity Grant and will award the recipient(s) the ACC AltaMed HRSA Workforce Diversity Matching Grant. The amount of the matching grant is $5,000. The grant has the following eligibility requirements:

1. Student must complete the AltaMed selection process
2. Student must be at least 18 years of age
3. Student must have a high school diploma or equivalent
4. Student must interview with the ACC Nursing Education Team
5. Student must take an entrance exam before admission and must pass the Wonderlic SLE or SLE-Q exam
6. Student must score 75% or higher on HESI exam
7. Student must have a 2.5 GPA in previous college education

If you qualify for this grant, the amount will be disbursed proportionately each payment period as a tuition reduction.
If you withdraw from the program before completing, the unused portion of the grant will be lost.

ACC Dream Act Scholarship

ACC Dream Act Scholarships are offered to applicants who are not eligible for federal financial aid because they are neither U.S. Citizens nor eligible non-citizens, and who have been approved by the USCIS for deferred action, as evidenced by Form I-797. To qualify for the scholarship, students must present the USCIS Approval Notice, along with a copy of their valid work permit. Scholarship amounts vary, and are determined by committee taking into consideration program of study, availability of funds, and an original personal statement, written by the applicant. 

ACC High School Medical Academy Grant

This grant opportunity is offered to qualified applicants who have graduated from a California High School in which they completed courses or programs that contain specific medical training as listed in the requirements below. The amount of the grant will be $2,000.

Eligibility Requirements:

1. You must be a first-time applicant to American Career College.
2. You must be a California High School graduate.
3. You must have completed one of the following courses or programs while in High School: CTE - Career Technical Education, Medical Academy, Medical Magnet, CNA/MA, or ROP - Regional Occupational Program.
4. Submit this application form, High School transcript, and a one-page essay, minimum of 250 words, explaining how these grant funds will assist you with completing your education and how you will use your education to benefit your community.

 Recipients will be selected by a committee selected by the ACC Director of Community Outreach based on applicant's high school academic history and the strength of their essay.

If you qualify for this grant, the amount of the grant will be applied to your student account as a tuition and program fees reduction. The grant will be applied proportionately each term or payment period, and may be pro-rated for less than full time enrollment.

If you withdraw from the program before completing, the unused portion of the grant will be lost.

This grant may not be used in conjunction with any other American Career College grants or scholarships, and does not apply to students already receiving a tuition discount based on a state or county sponsored re-training program.

This grant will not be re-instated if you withdraw and re-enroll at ACC.

Funds are limited and this grant may not be available when you apply.

Clinical Affiliates Scholarship

This scholarship opportunity is offered to qualified applicants who are either currently employed at one of our active Clinical Affiliates, or who have an immediate family member employed by one of our active Clinical Affiliates and who seek to prepare for a career in health care by enrolling at American Career College.

For ACC's employers, clinical partners, and their immediate family members:
$4,000 Grant for Associate Degree and Vocational Nursing*
$2,000 Grant for Diploma Programs, except Vocational Nursing*

In order to qualify, you must meet all admissions requirements of the program, and the following additional requirements:

1. You must be a first time applicant to American Career College.
2. You must be employed by one of American Career College's active Clinical Affiliates, or be an immediate family member of one of American Career College's active Clinical Affiliates. For the purpose of this scholarship, immediate family members include spouse/domestic partner, or child.
3. You must indicate your employment relationship with an active Clinical Affiliate at the time of application to the school, and present a business card from the employee of the Clinical Affiliate prior to your first packaging appointment with the campus financial aid office.
4. You must have a recommendation from the ACC Director of Clinical Services. Recommendation will be evidenced by the Director of Clinical Service's signature in the space provided below.
5. Students enrolled in ACC's OTA, PTA, or ADN degree programs do not qualify for this scholarship unless an exception is approved by American Career College's Co-President, Operations.

Mark Minsky Scholarship

Mark Minsky began his career at American Career College as a Computerized Business teacher in 2003 at the Los Angeles campus, and later moved on to teaching Math and English at the Anaheim campus. While teaching, Mark found his passion helping members of the community who had not finished high school by tutoring them for their High School Equivalency exam. He leaves behind a legacy of successful ACC graduates who transferred to our school after completing their certificate. He had a positive impact on each person he met and has changed thousands of lives for the better.

This scholarship opportunity is offered to qualified applicants who have successfully graduated from an accredited High School Equivalency program, and who seek to continue their education and prepare for a career in business or health care by enrolling in a diploma or degree program at American Career College.

This scholarship is in the amount of $600.

In order to qualify, you must meet all admissions requirements of the chosen ACC program, and the following requirements:

1. You must have successfully graduated from an accredited High School Equivalency Program, as evidenced by either a copy of the school’s diploma, or official High School Equivalency exam scores from the State of California.
2. Enroll for the first time in a diploma or degree program at American Career College.

Scholarship funds will be awarded for current or future payment periods only, not retroactively.

Continuing Education Grant (formerly the Alumni Scholarship)

Designed to encourage qualified graduates of American Career College to continue their education by enrolling in another program to increase their job skills and broaden their employment opportunities. Award amounts vary but will not exceed $2,000. 

In order to qualify, students must:

1. Be a graduate of an American Career College diploma or degree program; and
2. Enroll in a new diploma or degree program at American Career College; and
3. Have had no disciplinary actions during previous enrollment; and
4. Be in good financial standing with American Career College; and 
5. Renewal of the grant each academic year requires a minimum CGPA of 3.0, and no conduct warnings on student record.

Re-Entry Grant for Students Returning to Same Program at American Career College

This grant program is designed to encourage qualified students who withdrew from American Career College’s diploma
and degree programs to continue their education by re-enrolling in the program from which they withdrew. Eligibility for this
scholarship will be determined by committee taking into consideration the evaluation of an original personal statement. The
maximum grant amount will be $1,000, not to exceed the student’s existing balance from the previous enrollment. Funds
are limited, not all who apply will receive an award.

In order to qualify, students must meet these requirements::

1. Have withdrawn from American Career College and are now seeking to re-enter into the same program of study.
2. Have had no disciplinary actions during previous enrollment.
3. Had been meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress standards at the time of withdrawal (SAP Status of either “SAP Met" or “SAP Warning”).
4. Been approved for re-entry by the Education Department.
5. Have an unpaid balance due from prior enrollment.
6. Submit an original personal statement that explains why you withdrew previously and what has changed in your circumstances that will now allow you to complete your program and graduate.

If you are awarded this grant, the total amount awarded will be applied as a credit towards tuition and fees in the last
payment period of the program prior to graduation. This grant may only be awarded once per student. There is no cash
value for this grant; if you withdraw or are dismissed from the program before completing, the grant will be forfeited. This
grant award cannot be combined with any other ACC scholarships or grants.

ACC Ambassador Scholarship

ACC Ambassador Scholarships are designed to encourage the continued professional development of former employees of American Career College who choose to enroll in an ACC associate degree program or Vocational Nursing program on a full-time basis. Eligibility for this scholarship will be determined by a committee, taking into consideration previous employment at ACC, entrance exam score, and evaluation of an original personal statement that describes future career goals. The amount of the scholarship will be 35% of tuition each term of full-time attendance. The scholarship is renewable each academic year for students who maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. A maximum of three scholarships will be awarded each calendar year. 

ACC Persistence Grant

The ACC Persistence Grant is a full-tuition grant opportunity offered to 2016 and 2017 graduates of American Career College, who completed the Vocational Nursing, Radiography, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapy Assistant, or Associate Degree of Nursing program, but were unable to sit for state licensure based on background check disqualifying events, which occurred after their enrollment. Qualified applicants are eligible to enroll in the Medical Billing and Coding, Medical Assistant and Dental Assistant programs at American Career College.

ADN Transfer Grant for Shepherd University

This grant opportunity was created to benefit recent ADN students who were negatively impacted by the closing of Shepherd University in Los Angeles. The grant is offered to qualified applicants who attended the Associate Degree, Nursing program at Shepherd University in 2017, and are now enrolling in the Associate Degree, Nursing program at American Career College. This grant will be in the amount of $5,000, offered as a tuition credit proportionately disbursed each enrollment period. To qualify, applicants must provide an official transcript from Shepherd University showing attendance in pursuit of an ADN, and be admitted to American Career College’s Associate Degree, Nursing program. There is no cash value for this grant; if you withdraw from ACC’s ADN program before completing, the unused portion of the grant will be lost. This grant may not be combined with any other ACC grants or scholarships.

Ellen M. Lewis Scholarship

The Ellen M. Lewis Scholarship was created to honor the founding Director of the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Registered Nurse Program at American Career College, Los Angeles.  Awards will be made to students who best demonstrate the commitment and dedication to the nursing profession which Mrs. Lewis has passionately exhibited throughout her career. Students will be selected by a committee based on a combination of criteria including academic performance (GPA), attendance history, and a written essay (approx. 600 words). Click here for grading criteria.  The amount of the scholarship for each recipient will be $2,500 applied to outstanding tuition and fee charges at American Career College. Applications may be submitted by students enrolled in the ADN program at American Career College in their final term of the program who have achieved an overall 90% or greater attendance record. The signed scholarship application and essay must be presented to the ADN Program Director no later than the last day of the fourth week of instruction in the final term of the program.

New Horizons Grant 

This grant opportunity is offered to qualified applicants enrolling in American Career College for the first time after becoming unemployed due to the recent closure of Toys-R-Us. In order to qualify, you must meet all admissions requirements for the ACC program, and have recently become unemployed due to the closure of Toys-R-Us.  For purposes of this grant, “recently” is defined as becoming unemployed on July 1, 2017 or later. If you qualify for this grant, a total of $2,000 will be applied to your student account as a tuition reduction. The grant will be applied proportionately each term or payment period, and may be pro-rated for less than full time enrollment. Application forms are available in the Financial Aid Office. All applications must be returned to the Financial Aid Office, along with documentation of your loss of employment, prior to the start date of your academic program. This grant may not be used in conjunction with any other American Career College grants or scholarships, and does not apply to students already receiving a tuition discount based on a state or county sponsored re-training program.

Opportunity Grant 

This grant opportunity is offered to qualified applicants who are enrolling in a diploma or degree program at American Career College for the first time, after having been enrolled at an accredited institution that closed within the six months preceding the ACC enrollment date.

This grant will be in the amount of $500 for students enrolling in an ACC diploma program, or $1,000 for students enrolling in either an ACC degree program or the ACC Vocational Nursing diploma program. The grant will be offered as a credit towards tuition or required fees at American Career College, and will be proportionately disbursed each payment period.

In order to qualify, you must meet all admissions requirements of ACC’s academic program, in addition to the following requirements:

1. You must have attended an accredited institution that closed within the six months preceding the ACC enrollment date, resulting in your inability to complete the program of study at that institution. Documentation of enrollment at the closed school is required for receipt of this grant.
2. Once enrolled, you must maintain continuous enrollment in your program of study at American Career College. Withdrawal or dismissal from the program will result in a loss of grant upon subsequent re-enrollment.
3. This grant program may be discontinued at any time. If you are awarded a grant but choose not to enroll, there is no guarantee that the grant will be re-awarded for a subsequent enrollment.

If you qualify for this grant, funds will be applied to your student account as a tuition reduction. The grant will be applied proportionately each payment period. There is no cash value for this grant; if you withdraw from the program before completing, the unearned portion of the grant will be lost.

Kaiser Permanente Associate's Grant

This grant opportunity is offered to qualified applicants who are currently employed at Kaiser Permanente who seek to prepare for a career in the field of Respiratory Therapy by enrolling at American Career College.

This grant will be in the amount of $8,000, offered as a tuition credit proportionately disbursed each enrollment period. In order to qualify, you must meet all admissions requirements for the ACC program, and all of the following requirements:

1. You must be a first time applicant to American Career College.
2. You must be employed by Kaiser Permanente.
3. Submit this application form, indicate your employment relationship with Kaiser Permanente at the time of application to the school, and present a copy of your most recent paystub (must have a pay period within 30 days of the date of this application).

If you qualify for this grant, a total of $8,000 will be applied to your student account as a tuition reduction. The grant will be applied proportionately each term or payment period, and may be pro-rated for less than full time enrollment.

There is no cash value for this grant; if you withdraw from the program before completing, the unused portion of the grant will be lost.

This grant may not be used in conjunction with any other American Career College grants or scholarships, and does not apply to students already receiving a tuition discount based on a state or county sponsored re-training program.

Walmart/Sam's Club Grant 

This grant opportunity is offered to qualified applicants who are currently employed at Walmart or Sam's Club who seek to prepare for a career as an Optical Technician by enrolling at American Career College - Ontario campus.

This grant will be in the amount of $2,000, offered as a tuition credit proportionately disbursed each enrollment period. In order to qualify, you must meet all admissions requirements for the ACC program, and all of the following requirements:

1. You must be a first-time applicant to American Career College – Ontario campus.
2. You must be employed by Walmart or Sam’s Club.
3. Submit this application form, indicate your employment relationship with Walmart/Sam’s Club at the time of application to the school, and present a copy of your most recent paystub (must have a pay period within 30 days of the date of this application).

RadNet Associate’s Grant

This grant opportunity is offered to qualified applicants who are currently employed by RadNet who seek to prepare for a career in Radiography by enrolling at American Career College.

This grant will be for the currently published full program tuition and program fees (except laptop fee; student is responsible for paying the laptop fee) amount minus estimated Pell Grant and Federal Direct Subsidized loan eligibility, and will be offered as a tuition credit proportionately disbursed each enrollment period. Upon graduation, an additional graduation credit equal to total amount of gross Federal Direct loan funds disbursed during the student’s enrollment will be credited to the student’s account. Any resulting credit balance will be issued to the student or refunded to the Federal Direct Subsidized loan if the student indicates this option on their Authorization to Retain Funds form. In order to qualify, the applicant must meet all admissions requirements for the ACC program, and all of the following requirements:You must be a first time  applicant to American Career College. 

1. You must be a first time applicant to American Career College
2. You must be employed by RadNet
3. Submit this application form, indicate your employment relationship with RadNet at the time of application to the school, and present a copy of your most recent paystub (must have a pay period within 30 days of the date of this application).
4. Must be evaluated and selected by RadNet for the RadNet Associate’s Grant (RadNet will notify ACC of the annual selected applicant).

If you qualify for this grant, the amount of the grant will be applied to your student account as a tuition reduction. The grant will be applied proportionately each term or payment period, and may be pro-rated for less than full time enrollment.

If you withdraw from the program before completing, the unused portion of the grant will be lost, there will be no cash value. Student must be actively employed by RadNet on their graduation date to be eligible for the graduation credit.

This grant may not be used in conjunction with any other American Career College grants or scholarships, and does not apply to students already receiving a tuition discount based on a state or county sponsored re-training program.

Occupational Therapy Assistant HESI Scholarship

This scholarship opportunity is offered to qualified applicants who seek to prepare for a career in Occupational Therapy and score 80% or greater on the HESI exam on their first attempt.

In order to qualify, you must meet all admissions requirements for the ACC program, and all of the following requirement.

1. You must be a first time applicant to American Career College
2. Submit this application form along with proof of a HESI exam score of 80% or greater.

If you qualify for this grant, a total of $4,000 will be applied to your student account as a tuition credit. The grant will be applied proportionately each term or payment period, and may be pro-rated for less than full time enrollment.

There is no cash value for this grant; if you withdraw from the program before completing, the unused portion of the grant will be lost.

This grant may not be used in conjunction with any other American Career College grants or scholarships, and does not apply to students already receiving a tuition discount based on a state or county sponsored re-training program.

ACC Campus Transfer Radiography Program Grant

The ACC Campus Transfer Radiography Program Grant opportunity is offered to applicants enrolled at an American Career College (ACC) campus in the Radiography Program. The $1,560 grant will be awarded to eligible applicants who choose to transfer their enrollment to another ACC campus in the Radiography program, subject to seat availability in the applicant’s chosen program.

To qualify for this grant, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Be currently enrolled in the Radiography program at an ACC campus.
2. Be currently on the Radiography Program alternate wait list at the campus in which they enrolled.
3. The campus in which they are enrolled must have no available seats in the next start.
4. Applicant must reside in geographical area designated by ACC (available in the Admissions Office).
5. Applicant must provide proof of residency (Driver’s License, Utility Bill, Rental Lease Agreement, etc.)

Applicants who qualify for this grant will be awarded the total amount, and will be applied to your student account proportionately each payment period to offset tuition charges. There is no cash value for this grant; if you withdraw from the program before completing, the unused portion of the grant will be lost. American Career College reserves the right to discontinue this grant program at any time.

Disney Employee Grant

American Career College has established the Disney Employee Grant in the amount of $2000 for qualified applicants enrolling in ACC for the first time after becoming unemployed due to the recent layoffs at the Walt Disney Company. In order to qualify, applicants must meet all admissions requirements in addition to meeting the following criteria:

1. Recently unemployed due to layoffs at the Walt Disney Company. For purposes of this grant, “recently” is defined as being laid off on July 1, 2020 or later.
2. Submit this application form along with documentation of your layoff at the Walt Disney Company, including date the lay off began, to the Financial Aid Office no later than the start date of your program.

For applicants that are awarded the grant, a credit of $2,000 will be applied to your student account towards tuition charges. The grant will be applied proportionately each term or payment period, and may be pro-rated for less than full time enrollment.

There is no cash value for this grant; if you withdraw from the program before completing, the unused portion of the grant will be lost.

This grant may not be used in conjunction with any other American Career College grants or scholarships, and does not apply to students already receiving a tuition discount based on a state or county sponsored re-training program.

United Medical Imaging Associate's Grant

This grant opportunity is offered to qualified applicants who are currently employed by United Medical Imaging (UMI) who seek to prepare for a career in Radiography by enrolling at American Career College.

This grant will be for the currently published full program tuition and program fees (except laptop fee; student is responsible for paying the laptop fee) amount minus estimated Pell Grant and Federal Direct Subsidized loan eligibility, and will be offered as a tuition credit proportionately disbursed each enrollment period. Upon graduation, an additional graduation credit equal to total amount of gross Federal Direct Subsidized loan funds disbursed during the student's enrollment will be credited to the student's account. Any resulting credit balance will be issued to the student or refunded to the Federal Direct Subsidized loan if the student indicates this option on their Authorization to Retain Funds form. In order to qualify, the applicant must meet all admissions requirements for the ACC program, and all of the following requirements:

1. You must be a first time applicant to American Career College.
2. You must be employed by UMI.
3. Submit this application form, indicate your employment relationship with UMI at the time of application to the school,and present a copy of your most recent paystub (must have a pay period within 30 days of the date of this application).
4. Must be evaluated and selected by UMI for the UMI Associate's Grant (UMI will notify ACC of the annual selected applicant).

If you qualify for this grant, the amount of the grant will be applied to your student account as a tuition and program fees reduction. The grant will be applied proportionately each term or payment period, and may be pro-rated for less than full time enrollment.

If you withdraw from the program before completing, the unused portion of the grant will be lost.

Student must be actively employed by UMI on their graduation date to be eligible for the graduation credit.

This grant may not be used in conjunction with any other American Career College grants or scholarships, and does not apply to students already receiving a tuition discount based on a state or county sponsored re-training program.

ACC Campus Transfer Grant
The ACC Campus Transfer Grant opportunity is offered to applicants enrolled at an American Career College campus. The $1,500 grant will be awarded to eligible applicants who choose to transfer their enrollment to another ACC campus, subject to seat availability in the applicant's chosen program.The ACC Campus Transfer Grant opportunity is offered to applicants enrolled at an American Career College campus. The $1,500 grant will be awarded to eligible applicants who choose to transfer their enrollment to another ACC campus, subject to seat availability in the applicant's chosen program.
To qualify for this grant, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Be currently enrolled at ACC.

2. Applicant must reside in geographical area designated by ACC (available in the Admissions Office).

3. Applicant must provide proof of residency (driver's license, utility bill, rental lease agreement, etc.)

4. The applicant's chosen program does not have an available seat at the campus in which they are enrolled for the applicant's desired start date.

Applicants who qualify for this grant will be awarded the total amount, and will be applied to your student account proportionately each payment period to offset tuition charges. There is no cash value for this grant. If you withdraw from the program before completing, the unused portion of the grant will be lost. American Career College reserves the right to discontinue this grant program at any time.To apply, complete the section below, and return it, along with proof of residency, to the Financial Aid office of the campus you choose to transfer.