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.

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.

Manchester is committed to supporting its neighbors by offering loan aid to local students and families

Photo Credit: Visit Wabash County

While Manns was already committed to Manchester, it is reported that 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.