Private Student Loan Advice & College Financing Resources

We’re proud to share that Ascent has been recognized as one of Southern California’s Best Places to Work by Best Companies Group, an independent organization that honors companies creating strong workplace experiences for their teams.  Best Places to Work SoCal is a research-driven program from Best Companies Group that reviews participating companies’ practices, programs, and benefits, then gathers employee feedback about their workplace experience. Companies that meet the program’s criteria are named among the Best Places to Work SoCal. For Ascent, this recognition reflects more than our benefits or programs. It reflects the people who make our work meaningful every day.  At Ascent, we’re focused on building a workplace where people feel supported, trusted, and able to grow. Our mission is to help students access education and move toward academic and economic success, and we know that work starts with our own team. When employees feel valued and connected to the work they do, they’re better equipped to make a meaningful impact.  Our team is curious, collaborative, and open to new ideas. Leaders encourage learning, create space for feedback, and support career growth across the company. We believe great ideas can come from anywhere, and we work to make sure employees feel heard, included, and empowered to contribute.  Supporting employees means supporting the whole person. Ascent offers flexible and hybrid work options, generous PTO and leave policies, paid parental leave, wellness support, continuing education opportunities, and a 401(k) match. These benefits are designed to help team members care for themselves, grow professionally, and build sustainable careers.  Recognition is also part of how we show appreciation. Through programs like Cosmic Kudos, professional development opportunities, and company-wide celebrations, Ascent makes time to acknowledge the work happening across the team. It’s one way we help create a culture where people support each other, celebrate progress, and take pride in the impact they’re making.  “We’re proud to have built a workplace where employees feel trusted, supported, and genuinely connected to the work they do,” said Emily Skoubo, Director of Human Resources at Ascent. “This recognition reflects the collaborative culture our team has created together and our continued focus on providing an environment where people can grow, contribute, and feel valued.”  At its core, Ascent’s culture is people-first and purpose-driven. Team members support one another, celebrate wins together, and stay connected to a shared goal: helping students and families plan for, pay for, and succeed in school. That mix of mission, collaboration, and opportunity is what makes Ascent a great place to work.  We’re grateful to every employee who helps shape that culture every day and proud of what we’ve built together. As Ascent continues to grow, we’ll keep investing in our people, strengthening our culture, and creating opportunities for employees to do meaningful work while building rewarding careers. Because when our people succeed, the students and families we serve benefit too. 

Congratulations to Harsimran Sandhu, our $10,000 Pursue Your Dream Contest winner! We asked students to share their ambitions in a 30-90 second video and explain how they plan to use the money to reach their dreams.

College has been some of the best few years of my life and I've learned a lot along the way working toward my own success.

February is Black History Month – read our blog post for a few tips on how to give back and support the Black community all year long.

If straight A’s is something you're striving for, follow these 13 tips to build the skills needed to achieve good grades in college.

New adventures can be intimidating—whether it’s moving to a faraway campus, exploring some new classes, or furthering a budding career with a bootcamp program, there’s a lot to prepare for.

Being a college student means you’re consistently busy.

Federal and private student loans each have benefits and drawbacks. Learn more about what makes them different and more from Ascent Funding.

A 529 college savings plan is an investment plan to pay for various education costs. Learn more about 529 college savings plans from Ascent Funding.

To celebrate Father’s Day, we asked our team to share the best financial tips their dads have passed on to them over the years, and that are still true to this day. 

Feeling overwhelmed about your options to paying for college? Here are five money management tips to get started with your journey.