Adult Career Education (ACE) Grant Program
Overview
The intent of the Texas Innovative Adult Career Education (ACE) Grant Program is to support efforts to prepare low-income students for entering careers in high-demand and significantly higher-earning occupations.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for a grant under the program, a Nonprofit Workforce Intermediary and Job Training Organization must:
- Provide eligible low-income students with job training and a continuum of services designed to move a program participant from application to employment, including outreach, assessment, case management, support services, and career placement.
- Be governed by a board or other governing structure that includes recognized leaders of broad-based community organizations and executive-level or managerial-level members of the local business community.
- Demonstrate that the organization’s program has achieved or will achieve the following measures of success among program participants:
- Above-average completion of developmental education among participating public institutions;
- Above-average persistence rates among participating public junior college, public state college, or public technical institute students;
- Above-average certificate or degree completion rates by participating students within a three-year period compared to demographically comparable public institutions; and
- Entry into careers with significantly higher earnings for program participants than previously achieved.
- If applicable, rapid attainment of civilian workforce credentials.
- Provide matching funds in accordance with rules adopted.
History and Impact
House Bill 437, passed by the 83rd Texas Legislature, Regular Session, amended Subtitle G, Title 3, of the Texas Education Code to establish the Texas Innovative Adult Career Education Grant Program. Austin Community College was designated as the grant administrator on July 25, 2013.
House Bill 8, 88th Legislature, Regular Session, transfers administration of the Texas Innovative Adult Career Education Grant Program from Austin Community College to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
Rules
Texas Education Code, Chapter 136, Section 136.001 and Sections 136.005-136.007, requires the THECB to adopt rules relating to the administration of the program.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has adopted rules in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 10, Subchapter RR, Sections 10.870–10.878.
ACE Grant Opportunities
More information can be found on our grants and opportunities page.
ACE Past Grantees
FY 2024
| Grantee | Award Amount |
| Capital Idea-Austin | $500,000 |
| Capital Idea-Houston | $500,000 |
| Digital Workforce Academy, Inc. | $381,327 |
| Pitzer Family Education Foundation (formerly Creative Corrections) | $208,000 |
| Project ARRIBA | $500,000 |
| Project Quest | $500,000 |
| Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement | $500,000 |
Contact
Inquiries regarding ACE program should be sent to Waylon Metoyer, M.Ed., Director, Student Success.
