Research & Insights Archives

Ascent Funding Closes $45MM Series C Financing to Support the Future of Student Lending
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 19, 2026 Ascent, a leading provider of innovative financial products and student support services, today announced the successful close of its Series C funding round. Federal policy shifts that cap the amount of federal loans available for education are driving more students toward private lenders to help cover their tuition bills. The private student loan need is projected to double to $26B over the next three years, and Ascent is positioned to support these students looking to pursue their educational goals. The round was led by a global asset manager and provides the capital Ascent needs to grow its leadership team, scale its unique education financing platform and expand into critical new education verticals. Ascent has built significant momentum to meet this demand, establishing partnerships with more than 2,300 institutions and training providers, resulting in a 30% increase in loan originations year over year. Over the last decade, Ascent has disbursed over $1.5 billion in education loans to more than 168,000 families through its diverse suite of traditional college loans, including cosigned and non-cosigned options, and its industry-leading outcomes-based financing. "At Ascent, we've always believed that a student's potential shouldn't be limited by their current financial circumstances, but rather fueled by their future success," said Ken Ruggiero, Co-Founder and CEO of Ascent Funding. "As federal policies shift and traditional funding gaps widen, our mission to offer financing for traditionally overlooked and underserved individuals and families so they can gain access to post-secondary education and build a foundation for durable economic mobility has never been more important. This new capital will allow us to double down on our goals, providing students with the funding they need to invest in their future." Ascent is grounded in delivering innovative financing alongside a culture of respect, dignity, and personalized financial education and support, equipping students with the tools and confidence to succeed. This funding allows Ascent to continue to bring innovative products to students: Graduate Outcomes Based Loan Product — As federal policy shifts make graduate school harder to access, many qualified learners are at risk of being left behind. Ascent is committed to changing that through its continued focus on Outcomes Based Lending and bringing this solution to graduate students by evaluating each student's expected post-graduation earning potential, not just their current credit profile, to offer loans that they can afford to pay back post-graduation. Aviation Loan Program — Flight training tuition and expenses often exceeds $100,000 and are frequently ineligible for federal aid, leaving aspiring pilots with limited financing options. Ascent's Aviation Loan program is designed around early-career aviation pathways, evaluating students based on expected starting income rather than current credit history or cosigner access. The initiative builds on Ascent's established track record supporting skilled trades such as electrical lineworkers, welders, and healthcare professionals. Grad School Loan Calculator — A proprietary interactive digital tool that provides immediate clarity on the cost of advanced degrees. The calculator allows students and financial aid officers to model the total cost of attendance and the need for private student loans vs. federal loans, helping borrowers assess funding needs against future earning potential rather than traditional credit constraints. Ascent's growth is anchored by a team that understands both the complexity of student financing and the real lives behind every application. With this new funding, Ascent is announcing several leadership appointments to support its next phase of growth: Ryan Gray, has been appointed Co-President and will oversee Finance, Capital Markets, Credit & Analytics, Technology, Operations and Human Resources. Tristan Fleming, has been appointed Co-President and will lead Sales & Marketing, Product, Impact, and Legal & Compliance. "Ryan Gray and Tristan Fleming have been instrumental to Ascent's growth for the last 10+ years and are widely respected leaders in education finance," said Ruggiero. "Their new roles position Ascent to accelerate innovation, bring new products to market faster, and respond to the evolving needs of students and schools." Along with a strong team of more than 120 professionals headquartered in San Diego, Ascent will continue to differentiate itself from traditional lenders by partnering closely with institutions and families, combining flexible financing with practical financial wellness support. This relationship-driven approach enables Ascent to scale across diverse markets while advancing our mission to increase borrower income by $10 billion by 2028, as well as remain focused on serving credit-invisible borrowers who are often overlooked by traditional credit models. TD Securities served as exclusive placement agent for Ascent on the Series C financing, and Cooley served as legal advisor to Ascent. For more information about Ascent's innovative financing and student success initiatives, visit ascentfunding.com. ABOUT ASCENTAscent 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. For more information, visit www.ascentfunding.com.

February 19, 2026 | By: Ascent
What Does the End of Grad PLUS Loans Mean for Higher Education?
For nearly twenty years, the Grad PLUS loan program has been a major pillar of federal financial aid for graduate and professional students. These loans allowed students to borrow beyond traditional federal limits and cover their full cost of attendance, including tuition, housing, books, and living expenses. For many, Grad PLUS was the bridge that made graduate school financially possible. However, starting July 2026, new Grad PLUS loans will no longer be available under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act. This pivotal change raises a central question: What will the end of Grad PLUS loans mean for the future of graduate education? While the full impact remains to be seen, one word comes to mind: opportunity. Opportunity to innovate, rethink graduate funding, and build smarter, more sustainable solutions for students and institutions alike. What’s Changing: New Federal Limits Under the new law, federal borrowing for graduate students will be capped: Graduate (Academic) Programs: $20,500 annual limit, $100,000 lifetime maximum Professional Programs (Law, Medicine, etc.): $50,000 annual limit, $200,000 lifetime maximum. Borrower Category Pre-OBBBA Limit New OBBBA Limit Undergraduate Stafford (Dependent) $5,500 - $7,500 per year; $31,000 aggregate Unchanged Undergraduate Stafford (Independent) $9,500 - $12,500 per year; $57,500 aggregate Unchanged Parent PLUS (Parents of Undergrad) Full Cost of Attendance $20,000 per year; $65,000 aggregate per student Graduate Stafford (Masters/PhD/MBA) $20,500 per year; $138,500 aggregate $20,500 per year; $100,000 aggregate Graduate Professional Stafford (MD/JD/DDS) $20,500 per year; $138,500 aggregate $50,000 per year; $200,000 aggregate Graduate Grad PLUS Full Cost of Attendance Eliminated All Federal Loans Combined No lifetime cap $257,500 lifetime cap Previously, Grad PLUS loans allowed students to borrow beyond federal limits, filling gaps left by Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Once the program is phased out, students will need to explore other options, such as private loans, scholarships, or institutional aid, to fund their education. Financial aid offices will be crucial partners in helping students navigate these choices and stay on track with their goals. A Brief Look Back: Grad PLUS and Its Impact Grad PLUS loans weren’t just widely used; they shaped graduate education. While only 16% of graduate students rely on the program, Grad PLUS accounted for 32% of all federal graduate lending, showing just how central it became in helping students pursue advanced degrees. These loans were especially common in high-cost programs, with nearly a quarter of students in programs costing $25,000 to $70,000 using Grad PLUS, and that share rising to 30% for programs above $70,000, according to a 2024 report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. Beyond helping students, Grad PLUS also influenced institutions. The availability of additional federal funds allowed schools to expand programs, support student opportunities, and invest in resources. However, research suggests that tuition increases sometimes offset the benefits of increased federal lending. Today, according to recent federal data, about 1.8 million borrowers hold Graduate PLUS loans totaling approximately $119.2 billion in debt, a scale that demonstrates the program’s significance and the magnitude of this transition. What’s Next: A New Era in Graduate Funding With Grad PLUS loans being phased out, graduate education is entering a new era, one that calls for creativity, collaboration, and thoughtful planning. For Students For students, this shift requires the exploration of a broader mix of funding options. Scholarships, grants, and institutional aid will play an increasingly central role in covering costs, while private loans can provide flexible solutions to bridge any gaps. Engaging early with financial aid offices can help students build a comprehensive plan, minimize uncertainty, and feel more confident about their financial path through graduate school. Thoughtful planning now can reduce stress later and ensure students can focus on their studies and career goals without unexpected financial obstacles. For Institutions The end of Grad PLUS loans is prompting schools to rethink how graduate programs are funded. Hybrid approaches that combine scholarships, grants, and external funding can help students cover high-cost programs without relying on a single source of support. Institutions are also exploring ways to make aid more flexible and targeted, from directing resources where they’re most needed to offering modular programs or tuition schedules that let students progress at their own pace. Partnerships with private lenders can further support students, offering customized loan programs, streamlined processes, and flexible repayment options. Some lenders provide resources beyond financing, such as career readiness tools, coaching, and internship opportunities, to help students graduate on time and launch successful careers. By combining these strategies, schools can create funding systems that are clear, manageable, and tailored to student needs, helping students navigate the post-Grad PLUS world with confidence. For Private Lenders As federal aid changes, private lenders can play a key role in supporting the graduate funding landscape post-Grad PLUS. Thoughtful partnerships open the door to solutions like customized loan programs, flexible repayment options, and streamlined processes that reduce administrative hurdles. Many lenders also provide additional support, offering resources including financial wellness tools, career readiness programs, and internship opportunities to help students successfully complete their programs and transition into their careers. When considering private student loans, it’s important to choose a lender that’s transparent about rates and fees, offers flexible repayment options, and provides responsive support throughout your borrowing journey. Look for lenders who prioritize student needs, allow for cosigner release, and offer benefits like autopay discounts or hardship protections. Avoid companies that aren’t upfront about terms or make unrealistic promises, and always research reviews to ensure you’re partnering with a trustworthy lender who will support your goals from enrollment to repayment. Check out our Guide to Choosing the Best Private Lender here, for more information. Final Thoughts The end of Grad PLUS is a moment for all stakeholders to think strategically, plan proactively, and embrace flexible solutions. With careful planning, collaboration, and thoughtful use of available resources, the post-Grad PLUS world can be a time of smarter, more sustainable funding that helps students pursue their education and institutions maintain vibrant, accessible programs with student success at their forefront. 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.

December 10, 2025 | By: Ascent
What the Elimination of Grad PLUS Loans Means for Graduate Schools and How to Prepare
The elimination of Grad PLUS loans will fundamentally reshape how graduate students finance their education, challenging both access and affordability. Financial aid offices must proactively adapt policies, train staff, and guide, students to navigate a more complex funding system.

February 18, 2026 | By: Ascent
Solutions to Help Your Students Get Funding
The Ascent program is guided by a focus on transparency, financial education and student outcomes, working with students and families to view college and evaluate their financial aid options as an investment, not an expenditure. Further, Ascent is the only student loan provider that incorporates financial education into the application process and requires all students and cosigners to complete a financial literacy module before approving loans.

May 03, 2022 | By: Abigail Liu
College Students Taking on More Financial Responsibility While Lacking Confidence in the Value of Their Education
A study commissioned by Ascent Funding reveals interesting insights regarding the cost and financing of higher education According to a May 2018 nationwide study* by Ascent Funding: Student’s financial burden is greater than expected. Nearly half of students report they are now shouldering more responsibility in paying for college than originally anticipated. The perception of value is not keeping pace with the price tag. 51 percent of students do not believe the value of a college education has kept up with the rising cost. There are significant gaps in student knowledge relative to financing options and what their future payments will look like. Only 32 percent know that interest begins accruing on the date of loan disbursement and only 21 percent correctly identified the average student loan payment as greater than $200 per month (nearly one-third believe it’s less than $100) Download Full Report * Ascent Funding surveyed 1,027 college students currently enrolled in a four-year bachelor’s degree program who have taken out student loans. The survey was fielded using the Qualtrics Insight Platform, and Fulcrum provided the panel.

April 21, 2021 | By: Ascent