since 2022
in education loans this year, including $94 million to borrowers without cosigners and more than $8 million for DACA-eligible students
in Zero Percent Loans in 2025
For nearly a decade, Ascent has provided financing for traditionally overlooked and underserved individuals and families to gain access to post-secondary education and build a foundation for durable economic mobility.
Ascent Funding is an origination processor, all Ascent loans are made by DR Bank, Bank of Lake Mills, or Richland State Bank, each Member FDIC. Information displayed is as of 05/04/2026. Ascent reserves the right to update and revise figures according to available information. All information displayed here is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis, without warranty of any kind. You may not rely on the information displayed here for any purpose.
The income growth data presented by state is based on statistical methodologies and available economic data collected during calendar year 2025. This data represents estimates and should not be considered as definitive or guaranteed figures nor should be interpreted as a guarantee of future income growth patterns. Users should be aware that actual income growth may differ from calculated projections. These calculations are provided for informational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for any financial or business decisions.
Data as of: March, 2026
In 2025 Ascent removed barriers to education by disbursing more than $357 million in college loans to move than 27,000 learners across the U.S.
In 2025, Ascent helped nearly 4,000 learners, 87% from low income backgrounds and 71% without a college degree, access programs that advance their careers.
40% of U.S. adults with higher education have student loan debt. The cost of education is so much higher today that when students don't pick the right program, they end up with debt and not enough skills to get a job that can pay back that debt. The key is aligning the investment in your education to your career. That's where Ascent steps in.
Ascent partners with philanthropic investors, private funders and public sector partners to provide alternative financing solutions for adult learners to increase access to higher education or workforce training and economic mobility.
Learn Moredisbursed in Zero Percent Loans
and 88% approval rate despite nearly 99% accessing financing without a cosigner
borrowers do not have a college degree
Through a Pay It Forward Fund program, Ascent provides Zero Percent Loans to learners so they can access valuable training opportunities
Loan repayments are tied to career and economic outcomes and recycled back into the Fund to support future learners
Pay It Forward Funds create strong pathways to in-demand jobs, while increasing the impact of capital spent on training
Learners “pay it forward” as they land in-demand jobs and repay their loans back into the Fund
Connect with our team to learn more about our work and join our mission.
Get in Touch*Estimated income outcomes are calculated using self-reported borrower data and modeled projections informed by program completion and labor market data. Individual results may differ.
**Over 220,000 borrowers took out an Ascent loan for college or career training tuition or expenses between January 2018 and March 2026.
Ascent Funding is an origination processor, all Ascent loans are made by DR Bank, Bank of Lake Mills, or Richland State Bank, each Member FDIC. Information displayed is as of April, 2026. Ascent reserves the right to update and revise figures according to available information. All information displayed here is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis, without warranty of any kind. You may not rely on the information displayed here for any purpose.
Updated: April, 2026
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For students seeking their undergraduate or graduate degree from a university or college.
For students attending a coding career training school pursuing a degree in technology, professional training, or licensure training.