Fame

What Fame does

Fame is a Florida-based software and services provider, founded in 1978, that delivers Student Information Systems (Advantage SIS / Freedom SIS) and Financial Aid Processing Software (Advantage Financial Aid / Freedom FinAid) to post-secondary career schools in the U.S. and Canada. The platform is compliance-first, built natively for Title IV-regulated, clock-hour environments in cosmetology, barber, allied health, and trade programs, and integrates student records, attendance, financial aid packaging, and regulatory reporting in a single system. Layered on top are a Student Mobile App, Admissions CRM, a managed-service Virtual Financial Aid Office (VFAO), and Financial Aid Processing and Consulting services, creating a multi-product offering spanning software licensing, managed services, and professional services. The company currently serves over 600 schools across approximately 1,200 locations, with multiple customers reporting 20-35 year relationships, and is owned by Aquila Software under Constellation Software Inc.

Fame operates a direct enterprise field sales motion targeting post-secondary career schools, supported by inside sales, an annual Fame Forward conference, trade show participation (NACCAS, CECU, AACS, FAPSC, CSPEN), webinars, and content marketing including eBooks and competitive analysis guides. Revenue is generated primarily through subscription licensing of the SIS and Financial Aid software, plus managed services revenue from VFAO and professional services revenue from consulting. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed for software; the Fame Forward conference is publicly priced at $799-$899 per attendee. The company is headquartered in Pembroke Pines, Florida, employs 101-250 people, and operates within a vertical-specialized regulatory moat built over 45+ years of Title IV Third Party Servicer experience and more than $3.5 billion in federal student aid processed historically.

Name

Fame

Legal name

Fame Inc.

Website

https://fameinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Fame, founded in 1978 and based in Florida, provides Title IV-compliant Student Information Systems and Financial Aid Processing Software to 600+ post-secondary career schools across the U.S. and Canada, serving cosmetology, barber, allied health, and trade education verticals under Aquila Software.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Career School Management Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Career Services & Job Placement Platforms (Jobs, Recruiting, Employer Networks) (EDAFAMAM)

Keywords

• Student information systems
• Financial aid software
• Career school management
• Admissions CRM software
• Higher education SaaS

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Lauderdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Student Information System (SIS) Software Licensing: Fame provides its Advantage SIS and Freedom SIS platforms to post-secondary career schools on a subscription/software licensing basis. The SIS is the core system of record for student records, attendance, financial aid workflows, and regulatory reporting. Multi-campus schools use the SIS with location switching and consolidated views.
2. Financial Aid Processing Software (AFA / Freedom FinAid): Fame's financial aid software platform (Advantage Financial Aid) is provided as a web-based subscription, processing financial aid awards, loans, and disbursements for career schools. It is available as a standalone platform or integrated with the SIS.
3. Virtual Financial Aid Office (VFAO) Services: Fame actively manages critical financial aid processes (packaging, disbursement, R2T4, verification, regulatory compliance) on behalf of schools through its Virtual Financial Aid Office module, acting as a true extension of the school's financial aid team. This is a managed service model.
4. Financial Aid Processing Services: Fame offers financial aid processing services to help career school administrators manage their institutions, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and streamline operations. This includes consulting and support services.
5. eBook / Resource Downloads: Fame offers downloadable guides (eBooks) such as the 'Guide to Selecting Your Virtual Financial Aid Office' and 'Guide to Selecting Your Student Information System' as lead-generation and educational resources, typically in exchange for contact information.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Fame develops and delivers software and services that help post-secondary career schools manage the full student lifecycle. Its flagship OneCore platform combines a Student Information System (SIS), financial aid processing tools, a Virtual Financial Aid Office (VFAO), an admissions CRM (Enrollment Resources), and a student-facing mobile app. These offerings are sold primarily on a subscription basis to private career colleges and trade schools in the U.S. and Canada.

Product overview

Fame offers a suite of school management software and services for post-secondary career schools. The core platform consists of Advantage SIS (Student Information System) and Advantage Financial Aid (AFA), which work together to manage student records, attendance, financial aid packaging, and regulatory compliance. The product ecosystem also includes a Student Mobile App for real-time student access, Admissions CRM for managing prospective students, and Virtual Financial Aid Office (VFAO) as a managed processing service. Supporting services include Financial Aid Processing Services and Financial Aid Consulting. All products are designed specifically for career education environments including cosmetology, barber, allied health, and trade programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Advantage SIS: Student Information System - A Compliance-First Platform Built for Career Education Schools with audit-ready reporting, financial aid alignment, and operational confidence.
• Advantage Financial Aid (AFA)
• Freedom SIS
• Freedom FinAid
• Virtual Financial Aid Office (VFAO)

Products and services

• OneCore Student Information System (SIS) Cloud-based student information system purpose-built for post-secondary career and trade schools. Centralizes student records, scheduling, attendance tracking, grading, compliance reporting, and Title IV administration for private colleges.
• Financial Aid Processing Software Software that automates Title IV packaging, needs analysis, award letters, disbursements, and reconciliation for career schools participating in federal student aid programs.
• Virtual Financial Aid Office (VFAO) Outsourced financial aid office service providing remote Title IV expertise, packaging, and processing support for schools that lack in-house aid staff.
• Enrollment Resources (Admissions CRM) Admissions CRM and enrollment management platform tailored for career colleges to capture inquiries, automate lead nurturing, track applications, and improve enrollment conversion.
• Student Mobile App Branded mobile app that gives students of client schools access to schedules, coursework, grades, financial aid status, balances, and push notifications.
• Financial Aid Consulting Services Expert consulting on Title IV compliance, default management, program reviews, and financial aid operational improvement for career school operators.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25% boost in Financial Aid department efficiency after switching to Advantage FinAid
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AACS (American Association of Cosmetology Schools)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAACS is a major industry association for cosmetology schools. As an integration partner, AACS works with Fame to provide combined solutions to member schools. Fame sponsors AACS events and the CEA Conference.
• FAPSC (Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFAPSC is the state-level association for post-secondary schools in Florida. As an integration partner, FAPSC promotes Fame's solutions to its member institutions. Fame sponsors the FAPSC Annual Conference.
• SikichminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSikich is a professional services firm (accounting, consulting, technology) and a conference sponsor for Fame Forward 2026.
• SST.cpaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSST.cpa is a CPA firm and sponsor of Fame Forward 2026 conference.
• CollinsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollins is a professional services firm and sponsor of Fame Forward 2026 conference.
• WeWorskiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWeWorski is a professional services firm and sponsor of Fame Forward 2026 conference.
• Alvarez and MendozaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAlvarez and Mendoza is a business advisory firm and sponsor of Fame Forward 2026 conference.
• Campus Business AdvisorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCampus Business Advisors is a higher education consulting firm and sponsor of Fame Forward 2026 conference.
• Pantheon Student SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPantheon Student Solutions is a student solutions provider and sponsor of Fame Forward 2026 conference.
• Oozle MediaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOozle Media is a digital marketing agency and sponsor of Fame Forward 2026 conference.
• My ProsperUminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMy ProsperU is a student financial wellness platform and sponsor of Fame Forward 2026 conference.
• MyAACSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMyAACS is the member platform for AACS and sponsor of Fame Forward 2026 conference.
• USAf (UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA FOUNDATION)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerUSAf is a lender/servicer and sponsor of Fame Forward 2026 conference.
• Marianna BeautyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarianna Beauty is a beauty industry supplier and sponsor of Fame Forward 2026 conference.
• bio_therapeuticminorGTM or Marketing Partnerbio-therapeutic is a beauty industry technology provider and sponsor of Fame Forward 2026 conference.
• Fromm BeautyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFromm Beauty is a beauty industry manufacturer and sponsor of Fame Forward 2026 conference.
• Borboleta BeautyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBorboleta Beauty is a beauty industry supplier and sponsor of Fame Forward 2026 conference.
• LSA CPAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLSA CPA is a CPA firm and sponsor of Fame Forward 2026 conference.
• Tammy Taylor NailsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTammy Taylor Nails is a beauty industry brand and sponsor of Fame Forward 2026 conference.
• BurmaxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBurmax is a beauty industry equipment supplier and sponsor of Fame Forward 2026 conference.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ellucian: Ellucian is the largest SIS provider in higher education, serving thousands of institutions globally with Banner, Colleague, and Power Campus. It is the closest direct competitor to Fame in the SIS space, though Ellucian focuses on broader two- and four-year institutions while Fame owns the career school vertical.
• Anthology: Anthology (formed from the merger of Campus Management, CampusLogic, and Blackboard) provides SIS, student success, and financial aid tools across higher education. Like Fame, Anthology targets institutions needing integrated SIS and financial aid workflows, and competes directly for multi-campus career schools.
• Jenzabar: Jenzabar provides SIS, CRM, and financial aid software to small and mid-sized higher education institutions, including career colleges. Its Jenzabar SIS and Jenzabar Financial Aid compete head-to-head with Fame's Advantage platform for budget-constrained schools.
• Trellis Company: Trellis Company is a nonprofit that provides financial aid research, default prevention, and student-success services to Texas and U.S. higher education institutions. It overlaps with Fame's financial aid processing and consulting services for Title IV compliance and default management.
• FACTS (Nelnet): Nelnet's FACTS division provides tuition management, financial aid processing, and SIS-adjacent tools for K-12 and post-secondary schools. It is a direct competitor in the financial aid processing and managed services layer where Fame's VFAO operates.

Broad incumbents

• PowerSchool: PowerSchool is the dominant K-12 SIS provider in North America, with expanding higher education capabilities. It does not currently serve post-secondary career schools at scale, but its scale, capital, and adjacent positioning make it a potential encroachment vector for Fame's vertical.
• Blackbaud: Blackbaud provides education administration and fundraising software to schools and nonprofits, including financial aid and tuition management modules. Its portfolio breadth and R&D scale position it as a broad incumbent that occasionally overlaps with Fame's customer segments.
• Oracle (Higher Education): Oracle's Student Management Cloud (formerly PeopleSoft Campus Solutions) serves large global universities with comprehensive SIS, financial aid, and student record functionality. While Oracle targets a different buyer profile than Fame, its breadth and AI investment represent an indirect competitive threat to all specialized SIS vendors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/fameinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fame-inc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/fameinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fame