By Ali Caccavella
on July 29, 2020
Through a paid fellowship program, uAspire supports college students to build advocacy skills and execute campaigns to influence policy leaders with changes needed in higher education affordability and equity.
Students are the primary consumers of higher education, so their expertise should drive policy changes!
CORE ISSUE
Books, transportation, food, housing and other indirect expenses make up over 50% of the total costs to complete a college degree, but they are not made transparent for students. This Fellowship engages current college students to share their stories and propose solutions to the challenges of indirect expenses with government offices, institutional leaders and other influential changemakers.
OBJECTIVE
uAspire’s fellowship program is designed for college students who have experienced challenges navigating indirect expenses while pursuing their degree. Fellows will receive training and professional development to advocate for change via personal testimony, engaging stakeholders, and positioning ideas to influence policymakers with student-centered solutions.
REQUIREMENTS
Who
18+ years old, undergraduate. Pell-recipient or DACA/TPS, full or part-time students with at least 2-semesters credit in CA, MA, NY and PA. Interested in policy and advocacy on college affordability. People of color, first-generation, working, returning-to-college and other under-represented college students are encouraged to apply!
What
$1,000 stipend for roughly 60-hour commitment including training, research, individual and group projects for advocacy communication campaigns at local and national level.
Where
Entirely virtual engagement with teammates from California, Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts. Requires access to internet and laptop with video camera for web-conferencing.
When
September 22 - December 17, 2020. Weekly sessions on Tuesdays and six Thursdays from 4:00-5:00 ET/1:00-2:00 PT for training, regional working groups, and a national campaign. Independent coaching and team meetings to be scheduled as needed to complete advocacy deliverables.
How
Apply via this link DUE by 12 Noon (local time) on Monday, August 31, 2020.
Ideal candidates are curious about the workings of policy systems, outspoken about their ideas, eager to make change, considerate of all perspectives and committed to issues of equity in higher education!
Questions?
Please email Ali Caccavella, VP Policy and Systems Change, at Ali@uaspire.org.
See how uAspire's Student Advocacy Fellows tackled college costs during June's #BeyondtheCollegeBill virtual advocacy week!