The Student Debt Project is a key component to your financial freedom. It combines financial literacy education, jobs and mentorships to create a pathway for you to graduate with little to no debt.
McPherson College matches $.25 for every dollar students contribute to their education while they are in the program. Dedicated community mentors are supporting our students as they balance work, education, and life during their college career, as well as providing financial management skills for a lifetime.
By the Numbers
 of students in the program had less than $2,000 in debt by the end of the spring semester. |  of students in the program have ZERO DEBT. |  students participate in the Student Debt Project. |  average GPA score of students in the program is higher than the campus average. |
Debt Project Profiles
Focus Areas
Employment
The Student Debt Project is designed for students who are committed to working part-time (15-25 hours/week for 52 weeks) while earning their degree. McPherson College will match student earnings applied to their account at $.25 per dollar. Proof of income is required and only student earnings can be matched not funds provided by parents or other monetary gifts.
Students may work on campus but the earning potential is limited to the current student rate of pay where off-campus jobs often pay more. Ideally, students should try to earn approximately $10/hour. Our Career Services office will help connect students with local employers for job opportunities but the students are expected to apply, interview, and secure employment on their own.
Mentorship
Students in the program are paired with a mentor who meets with them regularly to review how they are doing with school work, employment, activities that they participate in, and how things are going in their lives. The mentor also reviews the amount the student has applied to their account and discusses how they are doing to reach their goals. Mentors include a virtual and in-person network of McPherson College faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the college.
Financial Planning
Financial literacy education is an important part of the Student Debt Project that equips students with the practices and knowledge necessary to be successful after college. Students in the program will participate in workshops that address issues in personal finance, personal budgeting, interviewing skills, building a resume, leadership on campus, and leadership in the community.
Project Q&A
Project Details
Student Debt Project Application
Students interested in the Debt Project will complete an application. The application will be reviewed by the Debt Project team which includes the director of financial aid, the vice president for enrollment, the vice president for finance, the assistant controller, and the director of career services. A budget worksheet will be prepared to outline how the debt project can benefit the student. For incoming freshmen, the budget worksheet will show the amount the student needs to earn per year in order to graduate from MC with $0 to $10,000 in student loan debt. Returning students may participate in the program but because of prior loans, they will be less likely to graduate with less than $10,000 in loans.
Student Debt Project Budget
A vital part of the student debt project is for students to understand their personal finances. During the online orientation sessions in early August, students will be asked to create a budget. Through this process, students will examine their income, identify their expenses, and observe how their payments and matches might allow them to reduce or eliminate their need for student loans. Once created, students will continue to track their budget throughout the school year.
Program Coordinator
The Program Coordinator will oversee the project and is responsible for connecting students with mentorship, financial planning sessions, and Career Services to help secure employment.
Contact
For more information please contact Amy Beckman, director of career services, at [email protected].