Farmingdale State is expanding its student assistance program

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A program at Farmingdale State College that provides students with financial, academic and personal support to increase graduation rates and close opportunity gaps is growing.

The Accelerate, Complete, and Engage (ACE) program welcomed 76 students for the first time in January. The program, an initiative of the State University of New York, is now in its second semester and has 215 enrolled students. The college held a celebration last week to recognize the program’s impact.

“ACE provides students with the financial support and material resources they need to achieve their academic goals,” Farmingdale State President Robert Prezant said in a news release about the program. “But what makes ACE special here at Farmingdale is that it has provided students with a community and a home away from home, which has contributed to the cultural and intellectual life of the university. That is what we do so well at Farmingdale: creating a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment.”

Farmingdale is one of twelve SUNY campuses participating in ACE, the SUNY initiative that also includes an Accelerated Study in Associate Program (ASAP) on some campuses.

“Student success drives everything we do at SUNY, and we strive to meet students and their families where they are to ensure they thrive,” said SUNY Chancellor John King Jr. in the press release. “SUNY is proud to scale ASAP and ACE as proven models for student success on our campuses and we look forward to continuing to invest in the next generation of SUNY graduates at (Farmingdale State) and across the system. ”

At Farmingdale, ACE is open to all majors. The program provides free holistic services for first-generation students at Farmingdale State and those in need, including individualized guidance, leadership and career development, peer mentoring, interactive workshops and events, and financial support including academic scholarships, textbook grants and transportation. assistance. ACE’s primary goal is to reduce the opportunity gap and increase on-time completion of a bachelor’s degree for participating students.

“ACE is based on a simple belief: income should never limit anyone’s potential or dreams,” New York State Senator Monica Martinez said in the press release. “Higher education is not just for those who have the means to afford it; it is for anyone who has the passion and determination to succeed. The ACE program, and others like it, exist because of this principle. They level the playing field and ensure that financial constraints do not hold anyone back from academic success.”

Students gave the program high marks.

“I joined the ACE program seeking a supportive community to guide my academic journey and prioritize my well-being,” Science, Technology and Society major Matthews Pyroll said in the press release. “The program has exceeded my expectations, providing consistent guidance through monthly meetings that have become a cornerstone to my mental and financial stability. These sessions provide a safe space to discuss challenges, receive coaching and access additional support when needed. I am grateful for the transformative support of the ACE program, which has allowed me to thrive academically and personally.”

“ACE provides me with a lot of resources, giving me a place to go throughout the day to get work done, or someone to talk to about how school is going,” Malik Mattison, an Aeronautical Science student : Professional Pilot Program, said in the press release. “Being part of ACE has given me the opportunity to make some friends since I’m new here and don’t know anyone on campus. My ACE success coach also helped me tremendously during my first semester here. He has helped me create academic and personal action plans, guided me to necessary campus resources, and helped me set and stick to long- and short-term goals. goals.”