Project ASPIRE

What is Project ASPIRE?

A new grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education titled Project ASPIRE will fund three groups of students that begin their studies in fall 2023, 2024 and 2025. Awardees selected for this program must be passionate about equity-focused mental health and be students in the 100-credit-hour, American Psychological Association-accredited, School Psychology doctoral program at the University of Colorado Denver. Prospective students apply the year before they hope to start the program.

Learn more about the program

Project ASPIRE Funding Includes:

tuition support
a monthly living stipend
funding for incidental costs
professional development

Eligibility:

Must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree
Passionate about equity-focused mental health access for bilingual, preschool, and economically disadvantaged student populations
The GRE is not required for admission
The program requires students to be in person for courses and fieldwork.

Applications open on July 1 and close on Nov. 15 each year. Apply for free using the promo code SEHDGRAD.

For questions and more information please contact:
Dr. Rachel Stein - rachel.m.stein@ucdenver.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Project ASPIRE aims to reduce barriers to becoming a school psychologist, with an emphasis on equity-focused mental health services for early childhood, bilingual, and economically disadvantaged populations. Participants will receive supplemental training and learning experiences as well as financial support.

We anticipate that in-state students will receive full support for tuition and fees. Out-of-state students will receive significant financial support, but because of the higher tuition rate will still have a balance. All Project ASPIRE students will also receive a monthly stipend. There is also money available to attend conferences and cover some incidental costs (e.g., transportation). Please note that because this project is grant-funded there is potential variability year to year in available funds.

Project ASPIRE students are eligible for four years of funding, which is the typical time to degree completion. No part-time option is available for Project ASPIRE students. Similarly, if a student needs an alternative timeline (e.g., takes a leave of absence), funding may or may not be available, due to the uncertainty of grant funding.

No. We are looking for individuals passionate about working with early childhood, bilingual, or economically disadvantaged students. We do not expect participants to have interest, experience, or expertise with all three. That said, there will be crossover in the training participants have, so we do expect an openness to learning about or working with all three populations. Some Project ASPIRE participants who are bilingual in Spanish may choose to participate in the School Psychology bilingual concentration, but it is not required.

Yes, but only limited part-time hours. Because participants get paid through the Project, we expect them to treat participating like a job. Project ASPIRE students are also expected to attend monthly meetings, frequent trainings, and conferences (in addition to SPSY program requirements), which necessitates having a schedule with flexibility.

No, both the University of Colorado Denver and Project ASPIRE activities are not available in a fully remote format. Although some activities will take place virtually, many will take place on the Auraria campus or in the Denver community. We have had students who live outside of the Denver Metro area, but they must be available and willing to commute into the city.

Denver Public Schools and affiliated community sites for years one (Practicum I/Shadowing), year two (Practicum II), and year three (externship) experiences. During year 4 students complete an internship which happens through an open application process and students are able to choose where to apply.

Applicants will be selected using a holistic evaluation process, rather than any single criterion. We are looking for applicants who demonstrate their alignment with Project ASPIRE goals and who are passionate about equity-focused mental health with early childhood, bilingual, and preschool populations.

We are not able to accept individuals who are already licensed or license-eligible as school psychologists, in Colorado or other jurisdictions, as the grant funding is specifically focused on increasing the number of school-based mental health professionals. The University of Colorado Denver School Psychology program does accept individuals who are already school psychologists and interested in pursuing doctoral-level training.

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School of Education & Human Development

Project ASPIRE

What is Project ASPIRE?

Learn more about the program

Project ASPIRE Funding Includes:

Eligibility:

Frequently Asked Questions

School of Education & Human Development

Project ASPIRE

What is Project ASPIRE?

Learn more about the program

Project ASPIRE Funding Includes:

Eligibility:

Doctor of Psychology, School Psychology

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Project ASPIRE?

How much funding do Project ASPIRE students receive?

How many years of funding are available to students?

What activities are Project ASPIRE students expected to participate in?

Do Project ASPIRE students need to be bilingual?

Can you work and participate in Project ASPIRE?

Can you complete the program remotely?

Where do project ASPIRE students complete fieldwork?

How will Project ASPIRE students be selected?

I am already a school psychologist, may I apply?

Are there post-graduation work or placement requirements?

How do I apply to Project ASPIRE?

How can I find out more information?

School of Education & Human Development