Student loan repayment specialist can’t think of ‘a better way to start off the new year’
By Paul Seebeck | Presbyterian News Service
The Rev. Amy House, who serves two small churches in Columbus, Ohio, calls Transformational Leadership Debt Assistance “the coolest thing ever.” (Photo by Paul Seebeck)
LOUISVILLE — Melonee Tubb, a Presbyterian Mission Agency specialist for student loan repayment assistance, thinks
now is a great time to apply for Transformational Leadership Debt Assistance(TLDA).
That’s because she’s seen what a difference it can make in the life of a person like the Rev. Amy House, whose story was first reported by Presbyterian News Service in November.
Serving two small PC(USA) churches in Columbus, Ohio, House was in the black hole of managing her student loan debt, until she did a consultation with Tubb. Until then she’d had no idea that help was available to pastors like her through the church’s Financial Aid for Service office.
One of the first things she did was apply for and receive TLDA, which is a $5,000 loan payable to her student loan service provider. After 18 months of service, which House completed inDecember, it was forgiven.
“It’s the coolest thing ever,” said House back in November. “I can apply up to three times. I’ll apply again in January. By the time I’m through I will have lowered my debt from $55,000 to $40,000.”
“I can’t think of a better way to start off this new year,” says Tubb.
During her consultation, House also learned about the Federal Student Aid’s Income Driven Repayment plan, which helped lower her student loan payment by nearly 70 percent, to $203 a month.
“Oh my gosh, the alleviation of stress, the ability to take care of other things is profound,” House said. “I can tell that for Mel [and Laura Bryan] this is a ministry for them.”
“They are committed to walking with on this journey and making things easier, so that ministry can be everything it is meant to be.”
Transformational Loan Debt Assistance is available for PC(USA) pastors serving small congregations and 1001 New Worshiping Community leaders. Click here to apply.
Schedule a student loan repayment consultation with Melonee Tubb by clicking here.
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