About the ASPIRE Program

About ASPIRE

Administered by the Oregon Student Assistance Commission, ASPIRE (Access to Student assistance Programs In Reach of Everyone) is Oregon’s official mentoring program to help students access education and training beyond high school. Students receive information about college options, admission, and financial aid from trained and supportive, ASPIRE volunteer mentors who work one-on-one with them throughout the year. Beginning with just four pilot schools in 1998, ASPIRE has expanded to 115 sites across Oregon. ASPIRE serves students by:

• Helping high schools build a sustainable community of volunteer advisors
• Educating students and families about the scholarship application process and other options for paying for postsecondary education
• Providing advising, resources, and encouragement to help students access education and training beyond high school

ASPIRE Students

ASPIRE is for all students. It is an all-comer’s program and serves the entire student body. Any student who believes they can benefit from an ASPIRE advisor is welcomed and encouraged to participate. By being inclusive, ASPIRE ensures that all of Oregon’s students have many options for a fulfilling future beyond high school.

ASPIRE Advisors

Volunteer ASPIRE Advisors are assigned to work one-on-one with students, guiding them through important steps toward postsecondary education. The ASPIRE Advisor position attracts a broad spectrum of adult volunteers. Many are parents/guardians of students at the ASPIRE school, professionals, some of whom are the first in their family to attend college, or retired community members. Volunteers do not have to have attended college themselves to be effective ASPIRE advisors.

ASPIRE Today

Beginning with just four pilot schools in 1998 as a program to encourage students who do not typically think of themselves as college bound, ASPIRE is now in 115 schools, engages over 1,000 volunteers, and reaches over 11,000 students from all walks of life. ASPIRE remains unique in the nation as a program offering volunteer mentors to all types of student.

ASPIRE Partners

ASPIRE was developed as a collaborative project between the Oregon Student Assistance Commission and the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF), a private nonprofit based in Portland whose mission is to enhance nonprofit community development projects. Since its inception, ASPIRE has expanded to include several partnerships, including the state of Oregon. A complete list of partners can be found at www.aspireoregon.org/partners.html

ASPIRE Structure

The ASPIRE program is administered by Oregon Student Assistance Commission’s Grants and Scholarships Division. Four Region Supervisors work directly with high school site supervisors and administration to successfully manage the program in Oregon schools. Each participating school fits into one of four statewide regions, displayed below on the ASPIRE map. Some schools partner with AmeriCorps and have an AmeriCorps member developing the ASPIRE program.

ASPIRE Sites

*Hold your mouse cursor over a star to identify the represented school

ASPIRE HIGH SCHOOLS 2008-2009

ASPIRE staff (Click here)

Interested in finding out how to become an ASPIRE site? Click here to find out more.