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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 Recognized as One of Southern California's Best Places to Work 
    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. 
  • How to Pay for Grad School
    Thinking of applying to grad school but don't know how to pay for it? Learn about the many ways to pay for graduate school without overwhelming debt.
  • 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.
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Your Ultimate Guide to College Funding

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

{ “@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “HowTo”, “name”: “How to Pay for Graduate School”, “description”: “Thinking of applying to grad school but don’t know how to pay for it? Learn about the many ways to pay for graduate school without overwhelming debt.”, “image”: “https://www.ascentfunding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Grad-School-Blog.jpg”, “step”: [{ “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Figuring out how to pay for grad school can be stressful. At times it might seem like an impossible dream. But, like most impossible tasks, student loans for grad school start to feel possible when you lay out all the details. That’s why we suggest starting by building a budget to see what your grad school expenses look like In this budget, you’ll factor in everything you’ll need for graduate school, like books, living expenses, and the cost of tuition. Then, do a financial wellness check and list your monthly expenses, including any subscriptions you might have or other bills. Your budget will provide an overview of your current spending habits and help you find what to cut. Building a budget can also help you see how often you use your debit or credit card. If you find yourself shopping at the same stores each month, look to see if your bank offers rewards programs. Some can give cash back or bonus points toward your next bill. The small steps you take now can help you as you go to grad school and start to manage your money smarter. Now that you have a budget, let’s explore financial aid.”, “name”: “1. Build a Budget” },{ “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Hopefully, your budget gives you a better idea of your expenses. It can help you understand your options to pay for grad school. If you haven’t already completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), we recommend taking the time to submit yours soon after the October 1st release. The FAFSA is a government form that helps determine your eligibility for federal aid like grants, scholarships, federal loans, and other programs like work-study. You’ll need your federal tax forms handy to complete your FAFSA application. Check out our FAFSA 101 guide for more details. Unlike completing the FAFSA as an undergraduate student, graduate and professional students will apply for grad school financial aid as independent students, so you won’t need to worry about having your parent’s federal tax info available. The Federal Student Aid website offers a comprehensive “Graduate School Preparation Checklist” with more information on how and when to apply for the FAFSA. Once you receive your Student Aid Report, you’ll be able to see which federal aid you’re eligible for to apply to pay for grad school. If you find you have enough to cover the cost of attendance and maybe your books, be sure to include that in your budget.”, “name”: “2. Apply for the FAFSA” },{ “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “One of the federal programs you may qualify for, based on your Student Aid Report after completing the FAFSA, is Federal Work-Study. Federal Work-Study provides undergraduate and graduate students with part-time jobs based on financial needs. This means you could work for your university, a non-profit organization, or a public agency while in school and be paid at least minimum wage, depending on the job. Remember that all federal aid, including work-study, is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.”, “name”: “3. Consider a Work-Study Program” },{ “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “If work-study isn’t an option for you, you can still look for a part-time job or an internship to help you earn money while going to grad school. When finding a part-time job, check your school’s website. There’s usually a hub of on-campus jobs for students to choose from, especially if you plan on living on campus and don’t have access to a car or other transportation. On-campus jobs probably come and go quickly, so if you can’t find a job nearby, explore Indeed or LinkedIn for other opportunities. Internships can be a great way to build a network and meet people with the jobs you ultimately want after graduation. For tips on finding your dream internship, check out our 9-step internship checklist. If accepting a 9-month or 12-month internship is too long of a commitment or requires you to travel off-campus, look into micro-internships as a possible alternative. Most micro-internships are virtual and shorter in length, usually between 5-40 hours of work. You’ll get the chance to work for real companies on short-term projects, giving you the ultimate resume boost. You can take on a micro-internship while working another part-time job or internship to provide you with even more flexibility with your cash throughout the school year. Whether you apply for a part-time job, internship, or micro-internship, make sure you don’t overwhelm yourself with too many obligations – or prioritize your job over your classwork. Remember, you’re attending grad school for a reason.”, “name”: “4. Explore Part-Time Jobs & Internships” },{ “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Beyond the FAFSA, companies offer scholarship opportunities all year long. They can be a great way to cover your extra costs to pay for grad school. Scholarships are a great way to earn money in school while not stressing about having to pay them back since scholarships are free money you win. Some scholarship giveaways require an essay, while others, like Ascent’s scholarships, don’t require an essay. To help you get started, check out our top tips for applying for private scholarships. On the other hand, students can apply for fellowships in a specific academic program, project, or research. You could be required to assist in teaching or get an internship in the field you want to work in after graduate school. Depending on your focus, fellowships are merit-based scholarships offered to grad students for advanced academic study. Now that we’ve covered most ways to pay for grad school, we’ll dive into alternative options, including employee programs and private student loans.”, “name”: “5. Check Out Private Scholarships & Fellowships” },{ “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “If you’re currently working, your employer may offer a tuition reimbursement benefit to employees. Some employers value education and want to help their employees pay for college/grad school if they can. While there is no guarantee that your employer will help, it doesn’t hurt to check out any programs they may have.”, “name”: “6. Ask Your Employer for Help” },{ “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Private student loans are the best option for graduate students who may not qualify for need-based assistance but still need financial support to pay for grad school. Do your research and ensure you’ll be able to borrow what you need for school while considering the other financial opportunities we mentioned. Depending on your situation, you may apply for a private student loan with a cosigner or go solo. Applying with an eligible cosigner may help you qualify for lower interest rates. Applying for a non-cosigned loan can help you build credit in your name. Be sure to weigh the pros and cons of each one before applying.”, “name”: “7. Look into Private Student Loans” },{ “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Last but not least – If you have some time to save before grad school, you may consider opening a savings account and start to set aside some money. You can use this to cover tuition and books or as an emergency fund if unexpected expenses arise. It’s never too late to start a savings account, especially if you plan on working while going to school. Look at some other budget tips to see if they can help you save a little.”, “name”: “8. Open a Savings Account” }] }