Congratulations to Tufts University president Larry Bacow for
offering student loan support plans for graduates who become teachers, social workers, or work for nonprofits. This is not surprising given Larry's personal commitment to public service. I think this is a great example and wonder why more heavily endowed universities on both sides of the Charles River don't also do this.
This is a really fantastic idea - wish Larry Bacow had thought of it when he was at MIT!! I graduated from the 'Tute with a very significant student loan to pay off. My first job was with a non-profit company in education, at a salary of far less than a year of tuition at current rates. It was a challenge to save anything while paying off hefty loans and living in Boston (and I don't live extravagantly). I'm fortunately making a better living wage now (still in the non-profit world) but not anywhere near what I know I could garner in a comparable position in the for-profit arena. I'd still make the same decision over because I love what I do, but I know that many of my friends and classmates made different choices, where a program like this would have allowed otherwise.
ReplyDeletePaul - agree completely. Will write to Larry myself and tell him so. Health care and higher education - as well as other non-profit endeavors - play a huge role in most of our communities. This is a non-profit town these days - and this kind of approach has lots and lots of possibilities.
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