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.  
  • Don’t Forget These 20 Dorm Room Essentials | Ascent Funding
    Don’t Forget These 20 Dorm Room Essentials
    It’s time to pack it up and head back to school. To make sure you don’t forget some of the most important items, read our list of 20 dorm room essentials.
  • How Much Student Loan Debt is Too Much? 5 Ways to Avoid Overborrowing
    Over half of students overborrow during their time in college. Check out these helpful tips to avoid overborrowing student loans.
  • Credit Scores 101: A Beginner's Guide
    What is a credit score, and what exactly is a "good" credit score? Learn the basics of credit scores and the impact they can have on your financial decisions.
  • Getting A Job After Your Coding Bootcamp: 8 Tips to Prepare You For the Job Hunt
    Whether you’re preparing for the job hunt early or getting ready to graduate, here are 8 tips to getting a job after your coding bootcamp.
  • Tips On How to Build a Design Portfolio As A Student | Ascent Funding
    6 Tips On How To Build A Design Portfolio As A Student
    Summer is the perfect time to build a professional portfolio. Keep reading to learn tips on how to build a design portfolio as a student.
  • 10 Students Share Financial Advice They’ve Received
    What is the Best Financial Advice You’ve Received? 10 Students Share What They’ve Learned
    For our 50 Days of $1,000 Scholarships Giveaway, students shared financial advice they’ve received from a mentor.
  • Build Your Perfect Summer Playlist with Ascent
    Songs of Summer - Build Your Ultimate Summer Playlist 🎶
    What are you listening to this summer? The Ascent interns shared the songs they plan to have on repeat all summer long. Check it out!
  • 5 Ways to Strengthen Your Resume This Summer | Ascent Funding
    5 Summer Activities to Strengthen Your Resume
    Looking for something fun to gain experience and help you get your dream job? Here are five summer activities to strengthen your resume.
  • How to Choose the Right Bootcamp
    How to Choose the Right Coding Bootcamp: 4 Tips to Help You Decide
    Stuck on which bootcamp course to take? Read more of Ascent Funding’s tips on how to choose the right bootcamp course that works for you!
  • 6 Tips on Choosing the Right College
    How to Decide Which College is Right for You
    Are you ready to make a big decision about the next chapter of your life? Here's six tips to help you decide which college is right for you.
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