Jaelyn Dewey, of Ogdensburg, was welcomed into SUNY Oneonta's second cohort of students in the Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) initiative, a program designed to help students gain and maintain academic momentum so they can graduate on time. Introduced to the Oneonta campus last year with a cohort of 150 students, the program added 163 additional qualified first-year and transfer students this fall.

SUNY's ACE initiative is a comprehensive academic support program designed to help students complete their academic journey to a bachelor's degree within two years (transfer students) or four years (first-year students). ACE provides intensive academic advisement, career counseling, as well as tuition, textbook and transportation assistance. SUNY Oneonta expanded its ACE program after receiving funding in the 2026-27 Enacted New York State Budget.

To participate in ACE, students must commit to graduating within four years (first-year students) or two years (transfer students); attend monthly ACE advisor meetings and other special activities; maintain a full-time, 15 credit-hour status; complete the FAFSA and TAP applications yearly and receive at least $1 of federal Pell or NYS grant aid (TAP or Excelsior).