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. 

Once you have the budgeting ball rolling, it’s much easier to keep it going, but you’ll still have to work through the occasional bump in the road. We’ll explore some of the mental and financial challenges the school year can present, and ways to overcome these obstacles. By building upon your previous budgeting and planning knowledge, you’ll be well-equipped to take on whatever challenges you may face on the path to higher education.

Talking about money with anyone can be hard. Talking about paying for college with your kids can be even tougher with all that is riding on a college education. But, the paying for college-conversation needs be had earlier before a college choice is made. So, here are three ways to talk to your kids about money and paying for college.

The price of college can go beyond just tuition—living expenses and additional school costs can really add up. Quickly. This is why brushing up on some financial education tools can go a very long way when it comes to managing your college-related expenses.

“’We need to once again take an investment approach, and arm students and their parents with information and guidance that will help them better align their level of investment with expected outcomes, such as graduation rates and expected earnings,’ said Ken Ruggiero, chairman and CEO of Goal Structured Solutions, the administrator of Ascent Student Loans, in a statement about the survey.”

You can still have a fun summer break while staying productive! Read our tips on how to have a productive summer without compromising your down time.

When considering your college options, a school’s financial aid office should be at the top of your “people to make friends with” list. They offer invaluable aid and financing information to you and your student, but there are some things they may not always be so forthcoming with.

There are several reasons that students might hold a job alongside school. Some reasons are personal, and others are more general. Let’s look at some of the factors that may affect your decision on whether or not to be employed while enrolled..

Education is a big investment, and many students like you may need help paying for it. The price of tuition alone may seem like a barrier between where you’re at now and where you want to be. Even then, tuition isn’t the only expense you might face—the cost of textbooks, housing, transportation, food and supplies all add up.

A study commissioned by Ascent Funding reveals interesting insights regarding the cost and financing of higher education

“A new survey from Ascent Student Loans, a student loan provider, found that 47 percent of students are shelling out more money for their education than they expected and over 60 percent are responsible for more than half of their total education costs.”