Higher Education Policy Fellow

PROJECT SUMMARY

Young Invincibles will launch a comprehensive initiative to educate students and borrowers, particularly those from historically marginalized communities, about student loan repayment and higher education policy. With programs in California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Texas, YI engages a diverse cross-section of today’s students. Currently, there is widespread confusion and mistrust surrounding the repayment process. This is a paid fellowship lasting 1 year January-December 2026. YI will use its trusted networks, digital platforms, and on-the-ground programs to share clear, accessible information about repayment options and recent changes to state and federal policy. This position pays $21/hr for 15-19 hours/week.

The fellow will conduct local, direct outreach through tabling, flyering, one-on-one conversations, and community networking, and will also participate in strategies to reach young adults and help them understand repayment options and avenues for creating policy change. Through these efforts, Young Invincibles will ensure that students and borrowers are aware of available support services and that young adults are equipped to build collective power and shift public narratives. The ultimate goal is to end the student debt crisis and advance the movement for affordable higher education for all.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Higher Education Fellow will work in YI’s Southern (Houston, TX) office and share critical, trusted repayment and higher education policy information with students and borrowers in Texas. The Fellow will share and amplify content about repayment options to answer questions, dispel myths, and connect young people with resources and help. The Fellow will coordinate at least four (4) in-person or virtual clinics, workshops, recognition events, training, or webinars. In addition, the Fellow will reach at least 100 total students or borrowers with a storytelling campaign during the outreach period. The Fellow reports to the Southern Regional Director and works closely with the Engagement Coordinator and the Advocacy Manager.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Identify and coordinate four (4) outreach activities (in-person or virtual clinics, workshops, recognition events, training, webinars, etc.)
• Create, amplify and disseminate YI’s campaign and collateral materials
• Reach at least 100 total students or borrowers with a storytelling campaign during the outreach period.
• Identify, and refer students to, organizations that provide multilingual support, broaden advisory hours to include evenings and weekends, or reduce barriers to the repayment process
• Attend regular meetings with staff, including 1:1s, Team Meetings, etc.

Desired Skills and Qualifications

• Strong writing skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Creative, energetic, and possessing a great attitude
• Ability and willingness to work in a fast-paced work environment and an entrepreneurial atmosphere
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Cultural competency working and collaborating with diverse populations
• A passion for Young Invincibles’ mission

ABOUT YOUNG INVINCIBLES

Young Invincibles (“YI”) is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization working to expand economic opportunity for young people ages 18 to 34 and to amplify their voices in the national political conversation and policy arena. Founded by and for young adults in the summer of 2009 during the debate over health care reform, YI has quickly grown into a leading voice for young people on the issues of healthcare, higher education, pathways to jobs/workforce and civic engagement. The organization has achieved major successes in areas ranging from the regulation of college health plans to Pell grants and has successfully engaged hundreds of thousands of young adults online through a network of over 100 partner organizations. Our regional offices (California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Texas) have increased grant aid for low-income college students, expanded funding for community colleges, and ensured undocumented students can access in-state tuition.