The Observer, November 9, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 10
Seniors can reduce loan debt through community service
A program new to Case Western Reserve University promises to reward students who participate in community service. The VolunteerDebt Away Program (VDAP) offers college seniors the chance to earn a College Loan Relief Grant of up to $2500 to reduce their student debt.
VDAP is a nationwide project by Student Loan Eliminators, a non-profit organization based in Memphis. Carlos Fearn, founder of Student Loan Eliminators, says that he modeled the program after AmeriCorps. VDAP recognizes seniors for their contributions to their community, but the time commitment is minimal enough to be realistic for many students in the final semester of their undergraduate career.
Participants in the program complete at least four hours of volunteering a month for three months at a location of their choice. Students do not have to participate on campus or through a student organization to qualify, but volunteering performed with a group like a club or Greek life would count toward a student's hours served. A selection committee reviews potential participants and the community service they would like to complete. This committee then decides which students will receive aid.
In previous years, VDAP encouraged any college student or recent graduate to apply for their grants, but the program's emphasis is moving toward seniors. "The VolunteerDebt Away Program will change its focus in 2008 towards working with seniors who can obtain grant money for their already successful volunteer efforts rather than on seniors who volunteer just to obtain grant money," said Fearn. By targeting students already active in service, VDAP hopes to honor those who have an established interest in improving their communities.
To target activists, VDAP has selected only 81 colleges and universities to participate in the program for 2008.
"Because Case Western Reserve was listed on the President's Honor Roll for Community Service, we strongly believe that the Case Western Reserve community of students fits our mission and strongly encourage their participation in the 2008 program," said Fearn. With VDAP's scope reduced to seniors at these 81 schools, Case Western Reserve University students have a high possibility of being funded by this program.
VDAP focuses on a student's community service, but it also takes into account the student's need for aid. Financed by donations from corporate sponsors, VDAP pays its grants directly to loan providers. This ensures that students with college loans can get a head start on reducing their student debt, and those who need this financial help can get it. To this end, the program's pre-registration form asks the student to estimate his or her student loan debt.
VDAP limits eligibility to the first 50,000 students who apply. Interested students can visit the VDAP/Student Loan Eliminators website at http://www.nostudentdebt.org to pre-register now. The program officially begins in January, when VDAP representatives will contact the pre-registered students with instructions on how to complete their applications. Participants will have to submit a reference from their volunteer organization, a brief essay, and a Student Loan Relief Grant application.
