“ It was our intention to really listen to what the barriers are for our local students that were keeping them from going to college , and to help provide a solution ”
MU | LRAP
A mong the many concerns young people have about higher education , cost and financial stability are arguably the most prominent . Students have become even more debt-averse , and many are choosing paths other than higher education to learn and pursue their professional passions .
Manchester is developing new ways to address concerns about the cost of college and the risk of borrowing loans . One of these initiatives is the Loan Repayment Assistance Program ( LRAP ), which helps graduates with their federal student , parent PLUS and private alternative loans if their income after graduation is below $ 45,000 . The assistance continues until the graduate ’ s annual income exceeds $ 45,000 or until their loans are completely paid off .
more than a third of participants wouldn ’ t have gone to MU without support from the LRAP .
“ I knew I was going to Manchester , but it did help me feel comfortable going into the education field and being able to take every educational experience possible ,” Manns said . “ I went to Atlanta with the education department in January and next spring I ’ ll be studying a semester in Granada , Spain . All of that is so much more possible because of the LRAP .”
There are 32 current students and 80 admitted students who have enrolled in the LRAP at Manchester .
Learn more at https :// award . mylrap . org /? i = MAN .
“ It was our intention to really listen to what the barriers are for our local students that were keeping them from going to college , and to help provide a solution ”
Manchester first offered the Loan Repayment Assistance Program ( LRAP ) to incoming students majoring in social work before expanding to any graduates of Wabash County high schools .
This spring , the University announced that the program would be expanding to Kosciusko and Whitley counties as well , offering aid to even more students as they pursue their personal and professional goals at Manchester .
“ It was our intention to really listen to what the barriers are for our local students that were keeping them from going to college , and to help provide a solution ,” said Ryon Kaopuiki , vice president for enrollment and marketing .
Emilee Manns ’ 27 , a first-year student from North Manchester , took advantage of the LRAP after learning about it from her admissions counselor . She is studying elementary education and Spanish , and is involved in activities and student groups across campus — from the tennis team to Manchester Aspiring Educators . She also participates in Manchester ’ s honors program and the Kenapocomoco Peace Coalition .
While Manns was already committed to Manchester , it is reported that
TOP : The LRAP helps students like Emilee Manns ’ 27 seize the many opportunities Manchester provides BOTTOM : Manchester is committed to supporting its neighbors by offering loan aid to local students and families
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