Pitt's pay-it-forward debt relief and mentorship program will add 150 new students

The Panthers Forward Class of 2022 has been announced, and the 150 participants, representing dozens of majors and 10 of Pitt’s schools and colleges, are an impressive group.

They've conducted undergraduate research, tutored peers, worked in campus offices, helmed student organizations and volunteered at local K-12 schools. Among their ranks are a fraternity president, an aspiring politician and the founder of a national nonprofit.

“Choosing just 150 students from the hundreds of outstanding applications we receive is always difficult,” said Panthers Forward Director Sarah Cullen. “I’m really excited about this group, and our team is looking forward to getting to know them.”

Panthers Forward is a first-of-its-kind program open to all students on the University’s Pittsburgh campus who use federal loans to fund their last year of college. Participants not only get up to $5,000 in direct federal student loan relief, but they also receive mentoring from Pitt alumni and exclusive invitations to events and workshops.

The only condition is a voluntary one — that students pay it forward, either financially or by contributing their time and talent as a Panthers Forward Friend or mentor after graduation.

Since launching in 2019, Panthers Forward has offset $2.25 million in federal loans, helping 450 students address their debt.

English and political science major Ashley Priore was chosen as part of this year’s class. Having launched a nonprofit when she was just 14 years old, Priore is well-versed in the importance of giving back. Her organization, Queen’s Gambit, helps introduce the game of chess to girls and low-income youth who otherwise may not have the opportunity to learn, and benefit from, the game.

“Chess is all about strategy,” she said. “Every move you make is grounded in what you believe in.”

Priore employed her own strategy when she applied for Panthers Forward, seeing the program not only as path to paying down federal student loans, but also as a way of staying connected to the University during those busy post-grad years when she’s launching her career.

“I feel like there’s a chunk of time right after you graduate when you’re not really connected,” Priore said. “Panthers Forward creates this infrastructure for new graduates to stay involved and to give back.”

More than 470 students applied for Panthers Forward this year. Applications for the Class of 2023 will open in August 2022.

— April Johnston-Smith, photo by Dominique Murray