For Students

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 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 trainings, virtual team meetings, and independent work to do policy research and advocacy.

Schedule 

The Fellowship runs from January 22, 2027, through May 17, 2027. Fellows attend a weekly meeting with a policy director, and participate in virtual cohort meetings that occur approximately every other week on Monday, 11am - 12pm ET on the following dates:

• January 25
• February 3 and February 24
• March 8 and March 22
• April 5 and April 19
• May 3 and May 17

Fellows participate in two in-person events:

• January 22,  9 am - 1:30 pm local time: In-person orientations in Boston or New York City (weather permitting)
• 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 two semesters' credit attending college in Massachusetts or New York. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.  
 
uAspire is committed to building a policy fellows cohort with diverse lived and college-attending experiences that equips 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 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, New York City and/or Albany. uAspire will cover the cost of travel.

Compensation 

$500/month stipend for completion of program projects

Application 

➡️Click Here to Submit Your Spring 2027 Application

Process

If you would like to be considered, please complete this application, estimated to take approximately one hour. The application deadline is 11:59 pm, Sunday, October 25, 2026. We have suggested ranges of response lengths for thorough responses to each question. A human reviews every application and we do not use AI in the selection process. We are interested in learning about you and how you think. Applications using ChatGPT or other AI will not be considered.
 
If selected for the next step, applicants will complete a 45-minute virtual interview with the MA or NY Policy Director. Selection will be made based on the interviews and applications.  Applicants can expect to hear from uAspire on the status of their application by November 30.
 
Questions? Please reach out to Anika Van Eaton, VP of Policy, at anikav@uaspire.org.