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uAspire Receives $3.4 Million Grant from Crankstart to Fund Groundbreaking Scholarship Initiative in Selected San Francisco High Schools

SAN FRANCISCO— uAspire is proud to announce a transformative $3.4 million grant from Crankstart  to fund the Crankstart Scholarship Initiative, a new program to empower students to achieve their  goals in higher education. This initiative will focus on uplifting students with the greatest economic challenges to achieve a college degree, enhancing economic mobility, and breaking down financial  barriers to higher education.

 In its inaugural year, uAspire will administer up to $3 million to pilot the San Francisco Crankstart  Scholarship program. The program will award scholarships to 200 graduates from four high schools  in the San Francisco Unified School District: Balboa, Burton, Galileo, and Mission High Schools.  These are among the city’s largest high schools, where more than 50% of students qualify as low  socioeconomic status (SES). This scholarship will support historically underserved students who  attend these high schools. Crankstart intends to fund these students with scholarships throughout  the duration of their college education. 

A college degree is one of the most reliable pathways to increased economic mobility. Bachelor’s  degree holders, on average, have higher lifetime earnings, more job opportunities, and are more  engaged in their community than those without a degree.By supporting scholars via scholarships,  advising, and networking, we can increase the odds that they will graduate and experience the economic benefits of a bachelor’s degree.  

uAspire, a trusted partner of Crankstart since 2019, is a national leader in college affordability and  financial aid advising for first-generation and economically disadvantaged high school and college  students. uAspire will lead the scholarship program alongside San Francisco high schools and district  leadership, local community-based organizations, and the group of colleges and universities where  the Crankstart scholars choose to pursue their bachelor’s degrees.  

“We are immensely grateful for Crankstart’s vision and generous support, which marks a significant  milestone in our ongoing efforts to make higher education accessible for all,” said Jaclyn Piñero, CEO  of uAspire. “This initiative is so much bigger than the provision of life-changing scholarship dollars;  it’s about creating generational opportunities and pathways to success for students who face the  steepest climbs. Through the Crankstart Scholarship, we are investing in the future leaders of San Francisco and the entire Bay Area region, ensuring they have the resources necessary to thrive  academically and beyond.” 

The Crankstart Scholarship will expand opportunities for those aspiring to attend bachelor’s degree  granting institutions and students looking to enroll in more selective colleges. This program seeks to  enhance access to college for SFUSD graduates by alleviating financial pressure, decreasing student  loan debt and increasing college graduation rates.  

Crankstart Scholars will benefit from scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $15,000 per year, available  for up to six years, covering various college-related expenses—including tuition, housing, books, and  fees.  

Missy Narula, CEO of Crankstart, said, “We are deeply committed to supporting the vibrant students  of San Francisco. We are thrilled to partner with uAspire to empower students within the San  Francisco Unified School District to pursue their dreams of higher education. By supporting their  journey, we can create a brighter future for both the students and the communities they represent.” 

“We are incredibly grateful to Crankstart and uAspire for their generous support in providing  scholarships to SFUSD high school students,” SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Maria Su said. “These  opportunities play a vital role in helping our students pursue higher education and achieve their  dreams. Investing in the future of our youth helps to create lasting positive change in our community.  We deeply appreciate this commitment to education and ongoing support of our students’ success.“ 

Participating schools will be pivotal in this first-year pilot initiative, helping uAspire reach the  students who would most benefit from this scholarship. A dedicated Crankstart Scholarship manager  will collaborate with the schools to provide support to students and families as they complete the  scholarship application. 

For more information about the Crankstart Scholarship Initiative, you can go to https://www.uaspire.org/crankstart or contact Jeneva Diaz at crankstartscholarship@uaspire.org.

CONTACT:  
Brendan Williams (he/him), Vice President of Knowledge, uAspire 
brendanw@uaspire.org

Laura Dudnick, Executive Director of Communications, SFUSD 
dudnickl@sfusd.edu