EMU Expands Program that Helps Graduates Pay Back Student Loans

November 10, 2025

Eastern Michigan University is significantly expanding its Loan Repayment Assistance Program beyond education majors to include 16 additional academic fields such as Communication, Economics, and Social Work. The program, which helps graduates earning under $50,000 annually repay federal and private student loans at no cost, grew from 39 participating students in fall 2024 to 121 in fall 2025. The original version, called EMU Educators Promise, was created to combat Michigan's severe teacher shortage, with nearly 500 school districts reporting vacancies during the 2022-2023 school year.

Who is affected

Eastern Michigan University students in 16 newly eligible academic programs (Communication, Economics, International Affairs, Public and Nonprofit Administration, Social Work, and others)
Current EMU education majors already enrolled in the original program
121 students enrolled with LRAP support in fall 2025 (88% being first-year or transfer education students)
Future graduates earning less than $50,000 annually
Families of students who would otherwise be burdened with loan repayments
Michigan school districts facing teacher shortages (498 districts with vacancies in 2022-2023)

What action is being taken

Eastern Michigan University is expanding the EMU Advantage program to include 16 additional academic majors
The university is providing loan repayment assistance for federal, parent PLUS, and private alternative student loans for qualifying graduates
EMU is helping graduates whose annual income falls below $50,000 with loan repayments at no cost to students or families

Why it matters

This expansion addresses critical workforce development needs in Michigan, particularly the persistent teacher shortage that has left nearly 500 school districts with vacancies. The program removes a significant financial barrier that prevents students from pursuing careers in lower-paying but socially important fields like education, social work, and public service. By providing a financial safety net, the program enables students to follow their career passions without the overwhelming burden of student debt, ultimately helping to fill workforce gaps in areas aligned with Michigan's strategic priorities. The dramatic enrollment increase from 39 to 121 students demonstrates the program's effectiveness in attracting and retaining students in these critical fields.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle