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Mission

We are students fighting for free college. As tuition hikes, campus hunger and homelessness, and overwhelming student loan debt put higher education out of reach, we are leading a movement to put college within reach for all.

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1,200 percent

increase in the cost of tuition in a generation

Take Action on Your Campus

Fight for Free College

Our grassroots campaign is led by students and supporters like you. With your help, we can remake our higher education system into one where hard work and talent -- not income or wealth -- determines your success in college and beyond.

Lead the Movement

Apply now to organize with Rise on your campus

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$1.5 Trillion

in student loan debt nationwide.

  • “Last year I couldn't afford to buy a textbook for one of my classes. Because I didn't have that textbook, I got a "C" in the class. I wanted to study, but I also wanted to pay my rent.” - Anthony, Riverside City College⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ “College should be free because every hard working student deserves a chance to succeed. I am the first to go to college, which I say with pride, but it also means I have to figure out everything on my own. I have to make decisions by myself. For example, last year I couldn't afford to buy a textbook for one of my classes. Because I didn't have that textbook, I got a "C" in the class. I wanted to study, but I also wanted to pay my rent. I help my family with bills because they need the assistance. Unfortunately I also have to pay $350 in fees every quarter. This may not seem like much to some, but for me it's significant. If college was free, I would't have to worry about that. One less thing off my plate.” - Anthony, Riverside City College⠀ ⠀ #College #Students #Politics #FreeCollege #FreeCollegeTuition #StudentDebt #Advocacy #California #Michigan #Rise #RiseFree #studentsmatter #studentsvoice #freecollegetuition #collegeforall #california #collegelife #highered #studentdebt #freecollege #realcollege #RealCollege
  • #TBT to our second Town Hall last week 👥 Community leaders, student leaders, and stake holders came together strategize how to end student hunger & homelessness. 🏠🍎 Join us next Wednesday, 8/21! RSVP at the link in bio.
  • 4 days left to tell us what tools student advocates need 🗣🎓⠀ We want to build resources for you! Tell us what you need and enter to win a $35 Starbucks gift card ☕️🎁 Survey at the link in bio.
  • “While I was at a community college, which many see as cheaper than attending university, I spent two of my three and a half years homeless.” - Matthew Bodo, UCLA ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ “Trying to pursue higher education has been a constant struggle for me. ⠀ While I was at a community college, which many see as cheaper than attending university, I spent two of my three and a half years homeless. I was only able to secure housing after receiving aid and support, competing for scholarships, and finding a higher paying job. Working full-time and often overtime, sometimes going to college felt like my side job. Now that I’m transferring to UCLA, the cost of college is only getting more expensive. If I didn’t have to work so much to pay for my education, I would be able to focus on my studies so much more, and succeed like I know I can. No one should be burdened so much by the cost of education that they become homeless, but that’s a reality for a lot of students. We need to address this issue and make change now, because hundreds of thousands of students are currently facing this reality.” - Matthew Bodo, UCLA ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #College #Students #Politics #FreeCollege #FreeCollegeTuition #StudentDebt #Advocacy #California #Michigan #Rise #RiseFree #studentsmatter #studentsvoice #freecollegetuition #collegeforall #california #collegelife #highered #studentdebt #freecollege #realcollege #RealCollege
  • We are coming up with big ideas💡 to end student hunger & homelessness. 🍎🏠 Join us! ⠀ ⠀ 🗓Wednesday, August 21⠀ 🕓6:00 pm to 7:30 pm ⠀ 🔗Link in Bio ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #RealCollege #BasicNeeds #FreeCollege
  • “I had to decide to pay for my car or for my tuition.” - Jeremy S., UC Riverside ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ “I chose to go to college because I want to have a job that pays well. People told me if I got good grades and was in sports, I would get scholarships. I did get a lot of financial aid my first year, but for my second and third year I had to pay for some of my tuition out of pocket. This meant I had trouble paying my car payment. There were times where I had to decide to pay for my car or for my tuition. Every quarter I hoped my tuition would be fully covered, but I was always disappointed. Free college would let me focus on school and use my work money for my bills.” - Jeremy S., UC Riverside ⠀ ⠀ #College #Students #Politics #FreeCollege #FreeCollegeTuition #StudentDebt #Advocacy #California #Michigan #Rise #RiseFree #studentsmatter #studentsvoice #freecollegetuition #collegeforall #california #collegelife #highered #studentdebt #freecollege #realcollege #RealCollege
  • Last day to RSVP to our second @LA2050 Town Hall! 🗣⠀ ⠀ Student leaders, community organizers, and stakeholders are coming up with big ideas to end student hunger & homelessness. 🍎🏠 No experience or expertise necessary!⠀#RealCollege ⠀ ⏰ Tomorrow at 6:00 pm ⠀ 📍 East Los Angeles College ⠀ 🔎 RSVP: https://buff.ly/2Mrqf2d
  • “My parents only attended elementary school, so I had to figure out what to do on my own.” - Maura Mendoza, Grand Rapids College ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ “Free college is important because it would help me financially. College is really expensive and not everyone can afford it. My parents only attended elementary school, so I had to figure out what to do on my own. Many of us are first generation students and we don’t know how we'll pay for tuition. Education opens the door for us to have a better future and to help our families, but we can’t do it without free college.” - Maura Mendoza, Grand Rapids College ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #College #Students #Politics #FreeCollege #FreeCollegeTuition #StudentDebt #Advocacy #California #Michigan #Rise #RiseFree #studentsmatter #studentsvoice #freecollegetuition #collegeforall #california #collegelife #highered #studentdebt #RealCollege #HopeForStudents
  • We are building resources for students looking to become advocates. We want to hear from you! 🗣💫⠀ ⠀ Take 2 minutes to answer this survey and enter to win a $25 Starbucks gift card! ☕️ #RealCollege
  • “I chose to go to college because I wanted to show my siblings that there is a way out of poverty.” - Vanessa, UC Riverside⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ "I chose to go to college because I wanted to show my siblings that there is a way out of poverty. I didn’t realize how much money it would cost me. My mom is a single parent and she has to cover all of our house bills, therefore I have to pay my way through college and I have taken out loans to do so. I took out loans because I had no other options. I work 30 hours a week while going to school full time and yet, I will still graduate with debt. If college was free, I wouldn’t be going into debt and could help out my family without wondering if I will have enough for my textbooks.” - Vanessa, UC Riverside ⠀ ⠀ #College #Students #Politics #FreeCollege #FreeCollegeTuition #StudentDebt #Advocacy #California #Michigan #Rise #RiseFree #studentsmatter #studentsvoice #freecollegetuition #collegeforall #california #collegelife #highered #studentdebt #RealCollege #HopeForCollege

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$7 billion

States Are Spending Less On Higher Education Than Before the Recession

Check out our petition here.


College costs 1,200+ percent more today than a generation ago.

Join the students fighting back.


Sign our petition to join the fight for free college.