ASPIRE, administered by the Oregon Student Assistance Commission, trains volunteers to work with students who need encouragement, information and technical assistance to reach their post-high school goals. ASPIRE mentors work one-on-one with students throughout the year and provides them with information about college options, admissions and financial aid.
From just four pilot schools in 1998, ASPIRE today includes 115 schools, engages over 1,000 volunteers and reaches over 11,000 students from all walks of life.
ASPIRE Students
The program is there for all students. It welcomes and encourages any student who believes he or she can benefit from the attention of an ASPIRE advisor.
ASPIRE Advisors
ASPIRE Advisors have a wide range of backgrounds and interests. Many volunteers are parents or guardians of students at the ASPIRE school. Some are professionals, some are the first in their family to attend college, and others are retired community members. It is not necessary to have attended college to serve as an effective ASPIRE volunteer.
ASPIRE Schools
The program is administered by the Oregon Student Assistance Commission. High schools compete for ASPIRE assistance and criteria for inclusion include regional and demographic diversity and the school’s commitment to recruiting and supporting volunteers as student advisors and mentors. ASPIRE applications are available year round. For application information, please contact:
Lori Ellis, ASPIRE Team Lead
Phone: 541.687.7471 or 800.452.8807, ext. 7471
Email: lorianne.m.ellis@state.or.us
ASPIRE website: www.AspireOregon.org