Achieve Atlanta Is Expanding to Fulton County Schools and Powering Possibilities for More Atlanta Students 

Achieve Atlanta—the largest need-based scholarship provider in Georgia—is expanding its reach beyond Atlanta Public Schools (APS) for the first time. Starting this fall, students at Creekside and Tri-Cities High Schools in the Fulton County Schools (FCS) district will gain access to Achieve Atlanta’s powerful college-going support services. And in February 2026, they’ll be eligible to apply for the Achieve Atlanta Scholarship, which offers up to $20,000 for college tuition and fees.

Why This Matters 

College can be life-changing—but for many students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, it’s also financially out of reach. That’s where Achieve Atlanta comes in. Since its founding in 2015, Achieve Atlanta has helped more than 7,000 students pursue higher education, awarding over $70 million in scholarships. Nearly 2,000 Achieve Atlanta Scholars have already earned a postsecondary credential, and students have enrolled in more than 400 colleges and universities across the country. 

But Achieve Atlanta is more than a scholarship. It’s a full support system. Scholars receive guidance on everything from financial aid to academic persistence and career readiness. The goal? Not just to get students into college—but to help them succeed and graduate. 

“Achieve Atlanta, with the full support and enthusiasm of our Board of Directors, is thrilled to expand our scholarship and support services to Fulton County Schools,” said Dr. Cheryl Watson-Harris, President/Executive Director of Achieve Atlanta. “Building on our success with Atlanta Public Schools, this expansion allows us to welcome even more students into our journey to and through college. We are proud to partner with a district that shares our deep commitment to a college-going culture. Together, we’re opening doors, breaking down barriers, and empowering scholars to pursue their dreams and thrive in college, careers, and life.” 

Why Fulton County Schools? 

Over the past year, Achieve Atlanta carefully evaluated districts across Metro Atlanta to find the right fit for expansion. Fulton County Schools stood out for its strong commitment to building a college-going culture. Here are just a few of the district’s initiatives: 

• ✅ Adding 33 high school counselors for the 2025–26 school year 
• 🎓 Running a summer PACE program to prevent “summer melt” (when students plan to attend college but don’t enroll) 
• 📚 Implementing a “Moving Forward with College & Career” advising framework for grades 6–12 
• 📝 Offering fully funded SAT/ACT School Days for juniors 
• 💻 Providing summer courses focused on college success and SAT prep 
• 📊 Tracking college applications and FAFSA completion across the district 

This kind of infrastructure makes Fulton County Schools a strong partner choice for Achieve Atlanta.

“Through our partnership with Achieve Atlanta, students will gain expanded access to tailored supports that help them stay on track, graduate, and pursue postsecondary opportunities with confidence,” said Dr. Mike Looney, Superintendent of Fulton County Schools. 

Who’s Eligible? 

Eligibility requirements will be shared later this fall. The scholarship application will open in February 2026, and eligible students will receive funding once they enroll in a qualifying college or university. 

What’s Next? 

Achieve Atlanta’s longstanding partnership with Atlanta Public Schools remains unchanged. APS students and graduates will continue to receive scholarship funding and support services as part of the organization’s core commitment. 

With this expansion, Achieve Atlanta continues to build on its vision—that Atlanta be a city where race and income no longer predict postsecondary success and upward mobility.  

Achieve Atlanta

College Access & Success

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