Aid available to Allen County students

Trine, Questa partnering on loan forgiveness, repayment

 

 

An agreement between Trine University and Questa Foundation for Education in Fort Wayne will reduce the cost of a Trine education for qualifying Allen County students while retaining talented graduates in northeast Indiana.

 

The Questa-Trine partnership will allow for up to 75 percent debt forgiveness and repayment of $20,000 in college loans.

 

Questa Foundation sponsors the Questa Scholars 1/2 Back Loan Program that allows qualified Allen County high school students to borrow $20,000 for college over four years. Questa offers forgiveness of up to 50 percent of a Questa Scholar’s loan if the student graduates from college with a 2.75 GPA and chooses to reside and work in northeast Indiana for at least five years after graduation. Under the terms of the agreement, Trine University will pay back to Questa an additional 25 percent of a student’s loan balance for Questa Scholars who graduate from Trine.

 

Two Questa Scholars now attend Trine University and are eligible for the additional 25% pay back program offered by the university.  Other Allen County students selected for the Questa Scholars program who choose to attend Trine University also are eligible for the loan payback program. 

 

The partnership underscores a strong Trine University commitment to providing financial aid to students. Last year, the university dedicated over $15 million to need-based grants and scholarships for deserving students. In July, the university offered additional funding to offset a gap in State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana funding for incoming students with financial aid impacted by the reduction in state assistance. As a result of these and other efforts, U.S. News & World Report has listed Trine among Midwestern colleges whose students graduate with the least debt.

 

 “We continually search for ways to reduce cost for our students, and are pleased to partner with Questa Foundation for Education to provide financial aid to Allen County students,” said Trine University President Earl D. Brooks II.

 

“Trine University’s partnership with Questa Foundation will make a high-quality Trine education more affordable for Allen County students and their families. Our collaboration also provides incentive for well trained graduates to remain in northeast Indiana, adding to our region’s highly skilled workforce,” said Christina Smith, executive director of Questa Foundation. 

 

For more information on the loan payback agreement, contact Trine University Chief Financial Aid Administrator Kim Bennett at bennettk@trine.edu  or 260.665.4438 or Smith at cksmith@questafoundation.org or 260.407.6494.

 

Questa Foundation for Education, based in Allen County, is committed to expanding educational opportunities and financial freedom of Allen County students with financial need by providing affordable college loans and generous scholarships that reward academic success and retain graduates in northeast Indiana. For more about Questa Foundation for Education, visit www.questafoundation.org.