2009 college grads carried an average of $24,000 in student loan debt, up 6% from the previous year, according to The Project on Student Debt's report, Student Debt and the Class of 2009, released this month.  Statewide average debt levels for the Class of 2009 vary widely; Iowa makes the list as the fourth highest, with an average debt of $28,883 (behind the District of Columbia, New Hampshire, and Maine). In addition, 74% of Iowa graduates report having debt, which ranks Iowa second, only behind South Dakota (78% of grads with debt).  In the current economic climate, college grads face unique challenges in paying back student loans, and substantial debt can limit career options and make it difficult to save for a home, a family, a retirement, or their own children's educations.

Rivermont Collegiate, the Quad Cities' only private, independent, nonsectarian college-prep school, boasts 100% graduate acceptance to four-year colleges and universities.  Furthermore, over 90% of Rivermont grads earn four-year renewable merit scholarships (valued at $1.4 million in 2009).  The value of these scholarships is substantial, particularly given rising student debt and its potential consequences.  Over 35% of Rivermont students qualify for need-based tuition assistance while at Rivermont, proving that a private PS-12th education can reap future benefits both academically and financially, while still being affordable.  In fact, Rivermont works hard at fundraising to keep itself affordable and is committed to a diverse population of students.

What are you waiting for?  Explore the Rivermont approach to learning!  Join us for Open Tours the first Tuesday of every month.  The next Open Tour will be held Tuesday, November 2nd from 8:30-10:00 a.m.  No appointment necessary!  Drop in to explore our philosophy and curriculum, take a tour of campus, see our teachers in action, and get answers to all your questions about Rivermont.

For additional information on The Project on Student Debt, including the full Student Debt and the Class of 2009 report, visit http://projectonstudentdebt.org

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate or Tuesday's Open Tours, contact Cindy Murray at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org

-END-

Support the River Cities' Reader

Get 12 Reader issues mailed monthly for $48/year.

Old School Subscription for Your Support

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Old School Subscribe now.



Help Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93!

 

"We're the River Cities' Reader, and we've kept the Quad Cities' only independently owned newspaper alive and free since 1993.

So please help the Reader keep going with your one-time, monthly, or annual support. With your financial support the Reader can continue providing uncensored, non-scripted, and independent journalism alongside the Quad Cities' area's most comprehensive cultural coverage." - Todd McGreevy, Publisher