Martin University forgives debt for 200+ students

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Martin University announced Wednesday that it will forgive past-due balances for more than 200 graduate and undergraduate students.

A majority of those whose debt will be forgiven were previously unable to register for classes because of their past-due balances, and some had been forced to drop out of school entirely, the university said in a press release.

The school said it will use funds from the CARES Act to clear the students’ debt.

Located on the city’s near-east side, MU is Indiana’s only predominantly Black institution of higher education. According to its website, the school was founded in 1977 and focuses on educating low-income adult students.

“The pandemic reduced my income, and I was unable to continue my education because I didn’t have the income I was used to,” said Timothy Taylor, a senior at MU. “This is an incredible opportunity that has allowed me to complete my lifelong goal of finishing my education.”

MU is not alone in its decision to forgive student debt. Florida A&M University, another historically Black university, announced Saturday that it would pay off student financial balances for the 2020-21 school year.

Clark Atlanta University also announced last month that it will clear account balanced for spring 2020 through summer 2021 to help students continue their education amid the COVID-19 pandemic.