ASPIRA Corp.

Due to education inequality, students from lower income families are allocated fewer school resources, which limits their progression in the college application process. This problem exists for first-generation college students, immigrant students, and students of single-parent households in particular because of limited access of resources and guidance. We solve the problem by providing proper guidance and opportunities for students.

We plan on solving this problem by using our five-step thought process that is also attached in this application. 1)Why am I interested in pursuing higher education? 2)Is a 4 or 2-year university better for me? 3)How do I narrow down what schools I want to apply to? 4)Now that I have selected a few schools, what do I need? 5)What if I get in but can't afford it? My team and I will travel to inner-city high schools in order to connect with the junior and senior students. My plan is to work in small groups with the students for the college application process. Fundraising is going to be vital for us to pay for the students' college fees. Personally, completing the CSS Profile, Common Application, and FAFSA were tedious and confusing for me; especially since I had no help. Many students will not have the proper guidance so it is up to ASPIRA to be that helping hand for success.

There are very few programs that focus solely on the transition between high school and college. Additionally, our project is run by college students; therefore, we are closer in age and experience to the students that we assist. We are able to give accurate feedback based off of our own experiences. Finally, the services that our project offers are not in the Miami-Dade area for free. Our mentors are college educated students who read and edit students' essays with them. Often times this is considered consulting and very costly for families; however, our mentors do this for free.