by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman

Tufts University has just announced a new program, the first in the nation that will help students who go into public service after graduation pay off their student loans.

Both graduates and undergraduates in all schools and disciplines will be eligible with the amount of reimbursement dependent on their loan burdens and income levels. Alumni will also be eligible.

Faculty committees in collaboration with student aid offices will review applications with first loan payments expected in December.

The program is modeled after loan repayment programs offered by many professional schools, including the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at the University.

As reported in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Robert Hollister, dean of the Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service, in announcing the program said that, “The best measure of our success is what students do with their lives.”
 
Tufts is setting a wonderful precedent among institutions of higher education. If I were younger, I’d apply.