In order to be considered for the program, students must meet achieve eligibility criteria in addition to the acceptance criteria of a partner school. Since achieve is a four-year high school program, students apply beginning in October of their eighth grade year. All students must submit a recommendation by their middle school principal, counselor or approved program director.
Step Four
4
Apply for Financial Assistance
In order for students to qualify for achieve, families must apply for financial aid directly through the achieve partner school.
- Online financial assistance application is available through the school’s website.
- Applicant must meet all financial assistance deadlines and submit all required documentation.
- achieve may require financial information in addition to what is required by the school.
Financial Aid FAQs
- What are achieve’s expectations regarding divorced or separated families requesting financial assistance?
It is the policy of achieve to consider the assets of both natural parents, if living, before making any award of financial assistance. In view of this policy, both natural parents are required to answer the income questions on the achieve application form and the school financial assistance application. It is the responsibility of the primary custodial parent to ensure that the non-custodial parent completes this information accordingly. Until it is provided, the application will be considered incomplete and achieve will be unable to make a decision on the applicant. If there are special circumstances, outside documentation will be required.
- Does achieve offer full tuition assistance?
achieve offers a partial tuition grant. All families are required to make some contribution toward tuition. Contributions are on a sliding scale based on need.
- Aside from tuition how else does achieve provide financial assistance?
achieve provides a supplemental account to help with the costs of uniforms, books and other educational expenses.
Student Testimonials
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This program has helped me not only create and achieve goals I would not have fathomed possible for myself, it has also shown me that the limits to my success are as boundless as I desire them to be.
Sofia Ortega-Guerrero '18 - Yale University '22
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I came into achieve as a young teenager with dreams. I am leaving achieve as a teenager who knows how to make those dreams a reality.
John Bermudez '16 - Colgate '20
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Thanks to the achieve Program, I have been exposed to a myriad of opportunities I would not have had access to anywhere else. My internships at the Exploratorium, UCSF Medical Center, and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital of Oakland Research Institute have been absolutely pivotal in my life.
Natasha Alvarado '18 - University of Chicago '22
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The guidance and mentorship of the achieve Program has shaped me into the man I am today — confident in my abilities and ready to tackle the next step in my journey after high school.
Louie Mezie '19 - Lawrence University '23
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achieve has shown me that I can be more and I can help other people in my family and community be more, too… achieve has changed my life and I will use the tools given to me to become a driving force in success, change and empowerment.
Brittany DeWeaver '16 - Carleton College '20
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Without achieve, Middlebury College would have not been a possibility because I would not have had the knowledge of the college process. Not only did achieve give me the resources to apply to college, but also helped me understand what types of colleges fit me.
Nestor Orozco-Llamas '19 - Middlebury College '23
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When I was accepted into the program, my 14-year-old self was not aware of the gifts that would be given to me by achieve in the next four years: knowledge, personal growth, life-changing events, support, and love.
Samantha Alvarado '19 - Southwestern University '23
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achieve has taught me that giving back and helping others is something you should do all of your life. It gives you a feeling of happiness when you see others smile and hearing that your actions have benefited the people in your community.
Gaby Nunez '17 - Lawrence University '21
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The greatest impact the achieve Program has had on my life is that it has helped me step out of my comfort zone and try new and challenging things that I never thought I would be able to do.
Melissa Cervantes '17 - St. Olaf College '21