Private Student Loan Advice & College Financing Resources

Expert guidance on private student loans including how to plan, pay, and succeed for students and parents from the start of school through graduation.

  • Ascent Named Best Places to Work in Fintech 2026   
    Ascent, a leading provider of innovative financial products and student support services that enable more students to access education and achieve academic and economic success, has been named one of the 2026 Best Places to Work in Fintech, an awards program created in 2017 by Arizent and Best Companies Group.  This annual survey and awards program recognizes the top employers in the financial technology industry. Honorees operate across a wide range of financial services sectors, including banking, mortgages, insurance, payments and financial advisory. To be eligible, companies must provide technology products or services that support financial services delivery, have been in business for at least one year, and employ at least 15 people in the U.S.  "Each year, the Best Places to Work in Financial Technology offers a glimpse into the practices of fintechs whose employees rate their workplaces highly," said Penny Crosman, executive editor of technology at American Banker. "This year, employees appear to value remote work and schedule flexibility above all else, at a time when many traditional financial firms have enforced strict return-to-work policies."  Companies from across the United States entered a two-part survey process to determine Arizent’s Best Places to Work in Fintech. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process, analyzed the data and determined the final ranking.  “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.”  For more information on Arizent’s Best Places to Work in Fintech program, including full eligibility criteria, visit www.BestPlacestoWorkFinTech.com or contact Penny Crosman at [email protected].  About Ascent  Ascent is a leading provider of innovative financial products and wrap-around student support services that enable more students to access education and achieve academic and economic success. Everything Ascent offers is designed by leading industry professionals and with advanced technology and innovation to increase every student’s ability to plan, pay, and succeed. Ascent’s rare Outcomes-based Loan provides funding to credit-invisible borrowers who generally do not benefit from traditional credit. Ascent products also include: Cosigned Loans, Solo Loans, Career Loans, Parent Loans, Graduate Loans, Access Loans, Enterprise Loans and Impact Loans.  
  • Bad Credit: How It Happens and What You Can Do About It
    There are several numbers that will follow you throughout life.
  • Conversations with Lexi B., Creator of Sista Circle: Black Women in Tech | Ascent Funding
    Conversations on Community with Lexi B., Creator of Sista Circle: Black Women in Tech
    We spoke with Lexi Butler, the creator of Sista Circle: Black Women in Tech to understand how it started and how women can find their community.
  • Exploring Financial Wellness Resources In The Workplace
    Investing in your financial wellness not only positively impacts you, but benefits your company as a whole. Here are a few tips on how to find financial wellness resources in the workplace.
  • 6 Tips for Informational Interview | Ascent Funding
    6 Tips to Help You Prep For An Informational Interview
    Informational interviews can give you new insight into a future position. Here are six tips to help you prep for your next interview!
  • 4 Ascent Interns Share Their Summer Success Plans
    4 Ascent Interns Share Their Summer Success Plans
    Pat yourself on the back and do a happy dance for making it through another school year. Here's what our interns are up to this summer!
  • DREAMers Share Their Experience Paying for School | Ascent Funding
    DREAMers Share Their Experience Paying for School
    We chatted with DACA students who chose to take out a loan with Ascent to learn more about their experiences paying for school.
  • 10 Most Common Interview Questions for College Graduates
    Preparing for an interview as a college student? Launch yourself into your future career by following these tips on answering the 10 most common student interview questions.
  • The Pros & Cons of Living with Roomates | Ascent Funding
    The Pros & Cons of Living With Roommates
    Have you decided who you’re living with next year? Consider the pros and cons of living with roommates before moving in.
  • Choosing a College Major: Which Major is Right for Me?
    Choosing a College Major: Which Major is Right for Me?
    Stuck on what to choose? Here are a few questions you can ask to help identify your goals and interests and pick the right major for you.
  • 5 Ascent Employees Share Their Community College Journey
    5 Ascent Employees Share Their Community College Journey
    Our team members all took different paths and ended up here at Ascent! Read their community college experience and tips here.
10 of 21

Your Ultimate Guide to College Funding

Discover interactive tools, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help you pay for college with confidence.