Policy
We advocate for equitable financial aid and higher education systems.
Policy Priorities
The policy team works with students, practitioners, and uAspire advisors to identify challenges students face accessing financial aid and develop advocacy priorities each year.
Policy Fellowship
Through a paid fellowship program, uAspire supports college students to build advocacy skills to change financial aid systems to be more equitable, simple, and transparent. uAspire’s fellowship program is designed for college students who have experienced navigating financial aid systems while pursuing their degree.
Over the course of a semester, fellows develop the knowledge and skills to work with those in power to influence policy. This includes meeting with government officials, writing and submitting press materials, and researching policy issues.
Eligibility
Applicants must be college undergraduates who are 18+ years old. Students must be Pell Grant recipients or hold DACA/TPS status, and be full or part-time students with at least one semester of credit attending college in California, Massachusetts, or New York. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
uAspire is committed to building a policy fellows cohort with diverse lived and college-attending experiences that equip our team to advance student-centered change in higher education policy. Candidates are curious about policymaking, outspoken about their ideas, passionate about making change, and committed to issues of equity in higher education!
Compensation
$750/month stipend for completion of program projects.
Applications
Applications for the Fall 2025 program will open in mid-April 2025. Fill out this interest form if you would like to receive an email when the application opens.
Student Fellows
Jovita Bell
Brandeis University
Ani Chaglasian
UCLA
Ixchel Valencia Diaz
San Diego Mesa College
Eden Elfathy
University of Massachusetts Boston
Karol Guaman-Palaguachi
CUNY Queens College
Maysha Meherin
CUNY Queens College
Through a paid fellowship program, uAspire supports college students to build advocacy skills to change financial aid systems to be more equitable, simple, and transparent. uAspire’s fellowship program is designed for college students who have experienced navigating financial aid systems while pursuing their degree.
Over the course of a semester, fellows develop the knowledge and skills to work with those in power to influence policy. This includes meeting with government officials, writing and submitting press materials, and researching policy issues.
Eligibility
Applicants must be college undergraduates who are 18+ years old. Students must be Pell Grant recipients or hold DACA/TPS status, and be full or part-time students with at least one semester of credit attending college in California, Massachusetts, or New York.
uAspire is committed to building a policy fellows cohort with diverse lived and college-attending experiences that equip our team to advance student-centered change in higher education policy. Candidates are curious about policymaking, outspoken about their ideas, passionate about making change, and committed to issues of equity in higher education!
Compensation
$750/month stipend for completion of program projects.
Applications
Applications are due October 20 at midnight, local time.
Policy Team
Melissa Clarke
New York Policy Director
Anika Van Eaton
Vice President of Policy
Parshan Khosravi
California Policy Director
Femi Stoltz
Massachusetts Policy Director