American Career College Educational Foundation

The mission of American Career College Educational Foundation is to offer no-cost educational pathways and scholarship support to in-need community members in Orange, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles counties.

Since 2012, ACCEF has been a torch bearer in helping in-need, at-risk, historically under-resourced individuals in Southern California prepare for and pass the California GED exam and obtain their High School Equivalency (HSE) Certificate, a nationally recognized credential. Initially serving from a single location in Los Angeles, our program has since expanded to Orange and San Bernardino counties, operating from 7 locations currently. As a student-centric organization, ACCEF has continually evolved to be proactive in catering to the needs of those we serve. From becoming official GED addendum testing centers in 2013, which allowed our students to take the GED exams in a familiar and comfortable space, to expanding our program to include justice-impacted individuals, we have demonstrated our ability as a formidable agency of change in the field of higher education. Our HSE Academy empowers persistently marginalized groups, disproportionately impacted by wealth inequity and social circumstances, to become self-sufficient by pursuing higher education or gaining and upskilling sustainable employment prospects through HSE attainment.

In communities where educational attainment falls far below national averages, American Career College Educational Foundation (ACCEF) stands as a beacon of opportunity through our High School Equivalency (HSE) Academy. While nearly 1 in 5 adults in Orange and San Bernardino counties and over 1 in 4 in Los Angeles County lack a high school diploma or equivalent (compared to 12.3% nationally), ACCEF is committed to changing these statistics—and changing lives. Our HSE Academy offers what no other program in Southern California provides: completely free, flexible, and comprehensive HSE preparation with holistic support services. This unique approach specifically targets low-income and justice-impacted individuals aged 17 and older whose life circumstances prevented them from completing a traditional high school education.

ACCEF’s HSE Academy operates from our locations in Orange, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties in communities where high school graduation rates are far below state and national averages. Nearly 1 in 5 adults over the age of 25 in Orange and San Bernardino counties lack a high school diploma or equivalent, with this number rising to over 1 in 4 in Los Angeles County, compared to just 12.3% nationally. Furthermore, the importance of high school equivalency is underscored by U.S. Census data showing that labor force participation jumps from 69% to 78% for adults who obtain an equivalency credential, providing more opportunities for sustainable employment and career advancement

ACCEF addresses these disparities through its free, flexible, and holistic HSE preparation program. We are the only organization in Southern California offering comprehensive HSE instruction at no cost, along with wraparound services that include academic support, stress management, and personal counseling from bilingual Tutor-Mentors, all of whom are alumni of the HSE Academy. These mentors, who share lived experiences with our students, play a crucial role in providing relatable and effective guidance. All program-related costs, including testing and retesting fees, are covered, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder our students’ progress.

Southern California