By Destiney Dingess, The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The prospect of owing thousands of dollars in debt could make or break some students’ decision to further their education.
Marshall University’s Marshall for All initiative helps break down those barriers for students, particularly first-generation college students. The program provides students with opportunities to earn their degrees without taking out student loans.
“When we came to campus, we all talked about the university’s history and who we want to be,” Marshall University President Brad D. Smith said. “We describe ourselves as a prosperity platform. We meet students where they are, and then we give them an opportunity to stand on this platform and reach even higher heights. And we know that many times adversity can get in the way of dreams, and affordability was the number one barrier preventing people from coming, so we said if we’re going to truly be a prosperity platform, then we’re going to eliminate that barrier so that’s no longer going to prevent kids from dreaming big.”
While Smith said Marshall is considered the “most affordable” four-year school in the 16-state Southeast part of the country, the university still had students taking on debt. The initiative was announced during Smith’s investiture as the 38th president of the university on Sept. 16, 2022.
The program began in fall 2023, welcoming the first 100 eligible students and a second group of 100 in fall 2024. This semester, Smith said the university admitted 200 more to the program.
How it works
The initiative has two pathways: Marshall for All: Debt-Free and Marshall for All: Tuition-Free WV. The Debt-Free pathway is for students who complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, whose family is eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, which is based on financial need. The student completes a financial literacy course and a work-study or a paid internship program.
