Program:
High School Advising
- Budget:
-
$987,000
- Category:
-
Education, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Youth/Adolescents only (14 - 19 years)
Program Description:
uAspire’s financial aid Advisors offer one-on-one advising to high school seniors and guide students through the process, from initial intake to review of the financial aid award letter. Support includes: an initial conversation with students to understand their situation and educational goals; assistance completing the FAFSA; and review of financial aid award letters. Advisors also host workshops for students to help build awareness of the financial aid process.
Program Long-Term Success:
students have an affordable plan to graduate from college, earn their degree
reduced/eliminated student debt upon graduation
more than 84% of uAspire advisees persist to 2nd year of college, compared to 66% of all students nationwide across all incomes
MA leads nation in FAFSA completion, college access and success
Program Short-Term Success:
more than 4,000 HS seniors receive uAspire advising services
FAFSA completion and award letter review
$62 leveraged in financial aid for every $1 given to senior advising program
Program Success Monitored by:
advisor notes
use of Salesforce database to track progress
family financial data
National Student Clearinghouse data
Program Success Examples:
–J.I.
Program:
Early College Affordability Awareness (ECAA)
- Budget:
-
$200,000
- Category:
-
Education, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Youth/Adolescents only (14 - 19 years)
Program Description:
uAspire began the Early College Affordability Awareness program (ECAA) in 2009 with the goal of providing direct advising and workshops to students in Boston high schools as early as the 9th grade. With continued reinforcement of the importance to start preparing for college early, students will have more time and opportunities to plan ahead for their education once they reach senior year. Components include: 9th – Students learn about the positive benefits of investing in college; the connection between academics, extracurricular activities and financial aid; and an understanding of the financial aid process. 10th – Students learn about the different types of financial aid; the difference between the “sticker price” and the actual cost of a college education; and the different types of colleges. 11th – Students learn about how different choices can help make college more affordable; the need for a “financial safety” school; and the basics of a financial aid award letter.
Program Long-Term Success:
increased knowledge of college financial aid process
change in behavior towards positive choices re: college (i.e. taking advanced courses, joining extracurricular activities, saving for college early, visiting colleges)
Program Short-Term Success:
83% of 9th grade students were able to correctly answer three or four questions from a four-question survey (vs. 69% pre-test) and 91% of 10th graders were able to do the same (vs. 79% pre-test)
75% of 9th graders know that uAspire is in their schools and is a service for them – up from 35% at the beginning of the year.
9th grade students who spoke with a college graduate rose from 45% to 53%. The number of 10th graders participating in a club or after-school activity rose as well, from 55% to 63%.
Program Success Monitored by:
student surveys, questionnaires
use of Salesforce database to record outputs, impact
Program Success Examples:
The data shared above which show increased knowledge of the financial aid process has been very promising and is evident of the impact that ECAA advising has on students. We anticipate that, by the time these students enter senior year of high school, they will be better prepared to navigate the complex financial aid process and make informed decisions about their college education.
Program:
Community Engagement Program
- Budget:
-
$324,000
- Category:
-
Education, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Program Description:
uAspire has developed partnerships with more than 20 community-based organizations, including Artists for Humanity, Boys & Girls Club of Boston, College Bound Dorchester and Year Usome organization choose to cost-share partnerships
Program Long-Term Success:
uAspire's geographic scope is expanded beyond high schools, becoming well-known name in community
CBO professionals are better equipped to handle financial aid questions that they young people and families they serve have
college-going cultures are built and grown in neighborhoods across Boston, Springfield, Lawrence
Program Short-Term Success:
more than 2,200 students, families impacted by community engagement last year
more than 60 partnerships with community-based organizations
popular events such as FAFSA completion day are successful
Program Success Monitored by:
partner surveys
student/family feedback
Program Success Examples:
uAspire has maintained valuable partnerships with more than 60 community partners in the three cities where we operate. Through these partnerships, uAspire offered more than 100 workshops, directly impacting 2,200 students and families. The services we offered include: Financial Aid 101 workshops, FAFSA Completion Day, one-on-one advising, and staff training.
Program:
Postsecondary Success
- Budget:
-
$300,000
- Category:
-
Education, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Program Description:
uAspire is a participating organization in The Boston Foundation’s Success Boston initiative. The initiative was launched in November 2008 after a report found that only 35% of Boston Public Schools high school graduates from the Class of 2000 earned a college degree within seven years of graduation. uAspire’s role in this groundbreaking initiative is to provide students and their families with financial aid guidance, as well as convene meetings of the participating organizations and collect and manage student data.
Program Long-Term Success:
students successfully graduate from college
graduate with minimal, manageable student debt
PSE completion numbers are higher in Boston, Springfield, Lawrence
Program Short-Term Success:
400 Success Boston students last year served through financial aid and financial education workshops, FAFSA fill-ins, 1-on-1 meetings, and indirect advising through their success coaches
Program Success Monitored by:
data collection in collaboration with our CBO, Success Boston partners
National Student Clearinghouse data
Salesforce database to capture, track, analyze data
Program Success Examples:
uAspire's college students, as part of this program, appreciate the services we offer and turn to us for additional support. With FAFSA needing to be completed every year, we ensure that students continue their track towards their degree. 84% of uAspire Scholars persist into their second year of college, compared to a national average of 66%, which includes students across all income levels.
Program:
Last Dollar Scholarships
- Budget:
-
$310,000
- Category:
-
Education, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Youth/Adolescents only (14 - 19 years)
Program Description:
uAspire provides direct scholarships to students with the greatest amount of unmet financial need upon completion of a full year of advising in their senior year of high school. Scholarships average $1,000 per student and are renewable for six years. This amount often means the difference between a student being able to attend the college of their choice or not attending. 40% of BPS Valedictorians have applied for our Last Dollar Scholarship.
Program Long-Term Success:
students fill critical gaps of funding that otherwise may derail their track towards a college degree
with finances in order, students focus on their academics, rather than whether or not they can afford tuition next semester
Program Short-Term Success:
nearly 300 students in Boston and Springfield received a Last Dollar Scholarship in 2012
more than $270,000 granted in scholarships
Program Success Monitored by:
student feedback
Salesforce database
Program Success Examples: