A CURE FOR THE KISS OF DEBT
Debt-Free College Guide Includes Most Comprehensive List of Loan Forgiveness Programs
According to the U.S. Department of Education, almost seven million undergraduates received student loans in the 2003-2004 academic year; roughly 35% of all undergraduate students borrowed money. The National Center for Education Statistics states that, student loan debt for those completing their degree more than doubled from $9,250 to $19,200 in the past decade, an increase of 108%. However, the good news is that lawmakers from both parties are scrambling to find ways to make higher education more affordable. But until that time, little known programs exist today that can help slash or erase college debt.
eLearners.com, the leading resource for connecting prospective students with online education, has launched the Debt-Free College Guide, a one-stop shop designed to help current, former and prospective students identify opportunities to get out from under the crushing burden of student loans. The eLearners.com Debt-Free College Guide provides a complete database, with more than 500 financing options, including grants, scholarships, tax incentives and the most comprehensive list of loan forgiveness programs on the Internet. The site is located at debtfree.elearners.com/.
“It’s the kiss of debt,” said Andrew Gansler, CEO of eLearners.com. “The decision to pursue a degree or training program is overshadowed by the prospect of taking on significant debt. And while studies have shown that most degrees pay for themselves through higher earning potential, the thought of graduating ‘in the red’ prevents many prospective students from moving forward. So eLearners.com is aggregating resources for prospective students to make their educational pursuits possible and palatable.”
The Debt-Free College Guide includes a list of loan forgiveness programs, which are generally designed to encourage students to pursue educational goals that will lead to employment in specific need-based occupations, such as working for volunteer organizations, federal and state governments, teaching or practicing medicine. In exchange for service in these fields, part or all of student loan debt can be forgiven.
“What is amazing is the number of programs that exist,” continued Gansler. “For example, the State of Maryland has loan forgiveness programs to attract qualified workers for public service. The State of Arizona has loan forgiveness programs for lawyers and public defenders, and the federal government has a plethora of programs for teachers, technologists and health care professionals. Any working professional contemplating a career move or a career shift should look into these programs as a way to go back to school with increased financial freedom.”
Go to debtfree.elearners.com/ now to look for ways to get your college paid for.
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