The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation named Ascent a finalist in the 2025 Citizens Awards, a long-standing program that honors businesses for their leadership in solving the world’s biggest challenges.  

Ascent was nominated for the Best Education and Workforce Program for its Zero Percent Loan initiative with The Forward Fund, designed to remove financial and educational barriers for adult learners to gain in-demand skills, advance their careers, and achieve lasting economic mobility in North Carolina. 

“We are thrilled to be recognized as a finalist for this award,” said Ken Ruggiero, president & CEO of Ascent. “This honor celebrates the power of collaboration and innovation to expand access to education and career opportunities—creating real impact for learners and the communities they serve.” 

This prestigious program recognizes the most innovative and impactful initiatives that leverage a company’s talent, resources, and expertise to improve communities. 

Ascent collaborates with philanthropic investors, private funders, and public sector partners to deliver innovative, outcomes-based financing solutions that expand access to upskilling and higher education for adult learners. These partnerships fuel Ascent’s mission to unlock durable economic mobility by removing financial barriers and enabling learners to pursue high-impact training and career pathways.  

“Across the country, millions of adults are eager to build new skills and advance their careers, but many are shut out by cost,” said Tristan Fleming, Chief Impact Officer at Ascent. “Our Zero Percent Loan program  helps remove that barrier, giving learners—especially those from low-income backgrounds—the skills and confidence they need to achieve lasting success and economic mobility.” 

With minimal underwriting and a 90%+ approval rate, the Zero Percent Loan program allows students to pursue training with no interest or fees. It also offers protections such as payment deferral if a minimum income threshold isn’t met, plus living stipends to support program completion. The results speak for themselves: 98% of participants didn’t have a cosigner, 93% came from low-income backgrounds, and 76% had no college degree. After completing their programs, graduates report an average income increase of an impressive $24,000. 

The winners of the 2025 Citizens Awards will be announced during the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Business Solves Conference on October 28, 2025. Learn more about the awards program and register to attend the event here.   

About Ascent  

Ascent is a mission-driven fintech company committed to redefining student lending through a focus on access, affordability, and lasting economic impact. Backed by institutional capital, we offer innovative loan options for college and career training programs—helping more students qualify, with or without a cosigner.  

But funding is just the start. From career readiness tools to financial wellness resources to over $330,000 in no-essay scholarships, everything we build is designed to turn education into real opportunity.  

Learn more about how we’re working to increase student income by $10 billion by 2028 in our Impact Report. 

About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation  

 The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation harnesses the power of business to create solutions for the good of America and the world. We anticipate, develop, and deploy solutions to challenges facing communities—today and tomorrow.