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Through a paid fellowship program, uAspire supports college students to build advocacy skills to change financial aid systems to be more equitable, simple, and transparent. uAspire’s fellowship program is designed for college students who have experienced navigating financial aid systems while pursuing their degree.

Over the course of a semester, fellows develop the knowledge and skills to work with those in power to influence policy. This includes meeting with government officials, writing and submitting press materials, and researching policy issues. Fellows are based in California, Massachusetts, and New York.

Commitment 

The time commitment is approximately 8 hours a week. Fellows are supported by uAspire policy directors to complete written advocacy projects and participate in meetings with government offices. Fellows will participate in video-conference training, virtual team meetings, and independent work to do policy research and advocacy.

Schedule 

Fellowship runs from September 13, 2024, through December 16, 2024. Fellows attend a weekly meeting with a policy director, and participate in virtual cohort meetings that occur approximately every other week on Monday, 11 - 12 pm PT / 2pm - 3 pm ET on the following dates:

• September 16 and September 30
• October 14 and October 28
• November 18
• December 2

Fellows participate in two in-person events:

• September 13,  9 am - 1:30 pm local time: In-person orientations in Boston, New York City, or Sacramento 
• TBD: In-person advocacy day to be hosted based on fellows’ class schedule and legislator availability

Eligibility

Applicants must be college undergraduates who are 18+ years old. Students must be Pell Grant recipients or hold DACA/TPS status, and be full or part-time students with at least one semester of credit attending college in California, Massachusetts, or New York.

uAspire is committed to building a policy fellows cohort with diverse lived and college-attending experiences that equip our team to advance student-centered change in higher education policy. Candidates are curious about policymaking, outspoken about their ideas, passionate about making change, and committed to issues of equity in higher education!

Location 

Virtual engagement with teammates from California, Massachusetts, and New York. Requires access to the internet and a laptop with a video camera for web conferencing. There will be two required in-person events in Boston, Sacramento, New York City and/or Albany. uAspire will cover the cost of travel.

Compensation 

$500/month stipend for completion of program projects.

If you would like to be considered, please complete this application, estimated to take approximately one hour. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m., Sunday, May 12, 2024. Applicants can expect to hear from uAspire on the status of their application by June 12.

Questions? Please reach out to Melissa Clarke, New York Policy Director, at melissac@uaspire.org.