Exciting Updates:
After an extensive national search, the Achieve Atlanta board and staff are excited to announce
Dr. Cheryl Watson-Harris as our incoming President/Executive Director. Dr. Watson-Harris’ impressive career as an educator, administrator, and community leader is grounded in Achieve Atlanta’s vision, making Atlanta a city where race and income no longer predict postsecondary success. Dr. Watson-Harris is set to start at the beginning of May.
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We are proud to announce the release of an independent analysis conducted by Georgia State University’s Georgia Policy Labs (GPL). The evaluation of Achieve Atlanta’s scholarship and supporting services found that Achieve Atlanta Scholars persist and complete college at much higher rates than similar peers who did not receive the scholarship and services.
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Believe. Expect. Achieve.
Atlanta’s students have dreams: for their futures, their families, and their careers. We’re here to support those students. See how we’re doing this.
College Access
Achieve Atlanta and our College Access partners deliver hands-on help to APS students as they chart their paths to college. We have a formal relationship with Atlanta Public Schools and provide strategic, operational, and financial support to offer a district-wide college advising program that serves all APS juniors and seniors.
College Success
As we work to increase the number of Atlanta Public Schools students graduating from college, we are partnering with postsecondary institutions and college success experts to offer direct support and advising services to students.
“I'm graduating Magna Cum Laude, and thanks
to Achieve Atlanta, I'm graduating debt-free."
“I'm graduating Magna Cum Laude, and thanks to Achieve Atlanta, I'm graduating debt-free."
Achieve Atlanta
The Achieve Atlanta Scholarship is a need-based award designed to support APS students pursuing various postsecondary paths after high school. When combined with other possible sources of financial aid, the Achieve Atlanta Scholarship should greatly reduce the need for students and families to take out high-interest, private loans to pay for school. The Achieve Atlanta Scholarship is an important part of Achieve Atlanta’s broader effort to dramatically increase the number of APS students who earn a postsecondary degree or credential.

“Achieve Atlanta has provided me with the best resources that helped me during my 4-year college experience. Not only did they provide financial support with scholarships and emergency grants, but they supplied me with a college coach who I built a strong bond with. Thank you, Achieve Atlanta, for everything!”

“None of this would be possible without the love and support from my former coach Sarah Keith. Thank you, Achieve Atlanta, for the opportunity and scholarship. . .and to all the current Scholars, remember, ‘If it was easy, everyone would do it.'”

“From COVID-19 hitting my freshman year, to being virtual all sophomore year, to returning for my third and final year as a senior, I hardly had the luxury of experiencing college to its fullest. However, I am grateful for the time I did have here.”

“Achieve Atlanta has been extremely instrumental in supplying me with the financial assistance to fulfill my collegiate obligations. As a first-generation college student, my journey has been far from easy, but Achieve Atlanta’s help has been the icing on the cake for me to do great things beyond my university status. Thank you, Achieve Atlanta!”
Key Dates
For Scholarship EligibilityOct 1st
FAFSA Application Opens
Feb 1st
Scholarship Application Opens
May 31st
Scholarship Application Closes
June 15th
Final Scholarship Awards Announced