Academic Counseling and Educational Support

The mission of the TRIO Academic Counseling and Educational Support program (ACES) at Moreno Valley College is a student support service designed to promote the retention, graduation, and transfer of low income, first generation and students with disabilities through a variety of academic support services.

ACES Target Population

• College students enrolled at Moreno Valley College as home college
• Income-qualifying, potentially first-generation backgrounds with demonstrated academic need for program services
• Enrolled full time and planning to complete a degree and transfer to a four year program
• United States Citizen or Legal Residency

Academic Counseling and Educational Support program participants are admitted based on a 3 step process: Application - Interview - Orientation.

1. Application: Students can download an application or pick up an application from the ACES office in the Science & Technology Building, Room 108 or Welcome Center, Room 173. Submit a completed application with income verification. Incomplete applications will not be able to be processed. Ineligible applicants will be notified via email. Accepted income verification documents are:
   • A recent signed copy of your parent/guardian's 1040 tax forms or tax transcript if you are a dependent.
   • A copy of your 1040 tax form or tax transcripts if you are independent.
   • If you do not file taxes, you may submit a copy of a Benefits Awards letter from any government aid programs, such as Cash Aid, Social Security, etc.
   • An Income Affidavit.
2. ACES Counselor Appointment: All eligible students will be contacted via e-mail to schedule an appointment to meet with an ACES counselor to review educational goals and review important program information. The meeting will last no more than 30 minutes.
3. Orientation: Those students who are offered admission are required to attend an orientation. Students who do not complete this orientation will have their admission offer rescinded. Upon completion of the orientation students will be placed on probationary status for a period of 1 semester. Orientation is required. Students will be notified of the orientation date two weeks in advance.

1. United States citizen or meets the residency requirements for federal student financial assistance
   • Income Qualifying (view income guidelines), AND/OR
   • First Generation (parent(s) or guardian(s) has not earned a bachelor's degree), OR
   • Disabled (documented by the Accessbility Resource Center or private physician)
2. Academic Need (can be fulfilled by a variety of criteria)
3. Students must have Moreno Valley College (MVC) listed as their home campus
4. Student educational goal must lead to completion of a certificate or associate degree at MVC and transfer to a four-year university.
5. Continuing students
   • must be in good standing at time of application
   • must demonstrate a history of at least part-time enrollment
   • cannot exceed a total of 30 cumulative completed units at time of application (if over 30 units have been earned by the time of application, meet with the program director regarding extenuating circumstances)
   • cannot have already earned an associate's or bachelor's degree at the time of application
6. First time students must be enrolled in classes for the semester for which they are applying.

• Individualized academic advising
• Extended hours for free weekly peer tutoring
• Workshops for academic success, student development, economic/financial literacy, and how to enhance study skills
• Priority registration
• Financial aid and scholarship application assistance
• College and career exploration
• Professional networking opportunities
• Four-year university transfer assistance
• Field experiences to four-year colleges/universities, educational opportunities, and professional sites
• Affiliation with National TRiO Network

• Actively enrolled at MVC and making satisfactory academic promise toward your educational plan
• Commit to achieve a 2.5 GPA or better
• Fall & spring progress report
• Complete FAFSA every year
• Complete Financial Literacy session
• Attend two academic advising sessions per semester
• Participate in one educational/cultural activities per semester
• Attend tutoring as needed
• Inform counselor of any schedule changes (i.e. dropping courses)