uAspire

News and Updates About Federal Financial Aid & the FAFSA: Students | Practitioners

Caution: Prices May Vary

This research explores the current state of financial aid offers and how colleges are communicating college costs and financial aid to students and their families.

Launching Affordable Futures: Early College & Financial Aid Readiness

A free, ready-to-use workshop series for middle and high school students that helps them explore college and career options, understand financial aid, and start their path to an affordable future—long before senior year.

Massachusetts Tuition Equity: Resources for Educators & Advisors

Explore resources, tools, and guidance to help students navigate the MASFA (Tuition Equity) application and access affordable higher education in Massachusetts.

Adult Learners: A Review of National and California Trends

Across the country, adult learners are a growing and essential part of higher education. This brief draws from existing reports to identify the barriers adult learners face and highlight promising policies and practices.
Photo by Allison Shelley/Complete College Photo Library

Free Virtual Financial Aid Events

uAspire hosts free virtual events to walk students and families through the financial aid process, provide resources and guidance, and answer questions.

We improve the economic mobility of underrepresented students by increasing access to financial aid and postsecondary pathways.

Advising

Support high school and college students to access financial aid and navigate postsecondary systems through in-person and virtual advising.

Training

Equip counselors and program staff with financial aid knowledge and student-centered resources through professional training and support.

Policy

Advocate for federal, state, and institutional policy change to transform financial aid and higher education systems based on our students’ lived experiences.

Consulting

Develop unique solutions to address partners’ needs by leveraging our financial aid expertise, advising experience, and student-centered research.

Our Impact

uAspire students are 80% more likely to graduate college.

Jenessa

"Because I was always a high-achieving student, the idea of not going to college never crossed my mind. The big question was how to pay for it. I knew I could go to college, but I was not sure if I could afford to attend my dream school without going into debt."

The Latest

Decoding Financial Aid Offers: Tools and Strategies for Practitioners

For Practitioners

Apr. 2, 2026

Navigating Federal Student Loan Changes

For Practitioners

Apr. 15, 2026

10th Anniversary of CHEBNA and a Vision for the Future of Student Basic Needs

Policy

Feb. 17, 2026