Rise builds student-led advocacy campaigns and programs that put higher education within reach for all.
Rise trains and hires community college and university students to organize campaigns focused on eliminating tuition and fees, expanding financial aid and ending student hunger and homelessness, and getting out the vote. Rise also created the Student Navigator Network to provide case management and one-on-one assistance to students affected by COVID-19. Although Rise students work nationwide, our primary focus states in 2020 are California, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Our north star goal is restoring funding for public higher education to make public colleges and universities free for all students. To us, free college means:
1. Free tuition and fees to expand access to public higher education.
2. Expanded financial aid and campus resources to ensure students’ basic food and housing needs are met while in college.
3. Support to thrive in college and graduate on time with little or no debt.
Statewide & Federal Advocacy
We train student leaders to advocate for state and federal policy changes because students need advocates fighting for their interests. These campaigns aim to roll back decades of funding cuts for public higher education by expanding access to college.
Basic Needs Advocacy & Direct Support
Policy change is necessary, but we also need college presidents and administrations bought in to make the changes students need. We help campaigns on campus advocating forr students’ basic food and housing needs.
Get Out The Student Vote
We mobilize student voters to build our political power for change. Our vote is one of the most powerful ways we can change our communities and our country. Rise works to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and tools we need to get out the vote.
