Panthers Forward debt relief program, which has saved students $4.5 million, is accepting applications

Elijah Volk's search for a mentor in the University of Pittsburgh's Panthers Forward program last fall began - and quickly ended - with alumnus Patrick Cornell (A&S '12, GSPIA '15).

Panthers Forward staff matched Volk (CBA '24), then a senior majoring in finance, with Cornell, chief financial officer for the City of Pittsburgh, as a first step. They clicked right away when they met in person at a networking event in October, and the pair proceeded to exchange emails and meet for coffee in the following months. Their conversations spanned everything from studying abroad to summer plans, including Volk's internship interests.

"I thought to myself," Cornell says, "'Well, why couldn't I try to hire him?'"

That realization led to an application and Volk's eventual selection as a summer intern in the Office of Management and Budget, where he analyzed data that informed budget modeling. Volk says he's still employing many of those skills as an analyst in PNC's Corporate Finance and Accounting Development Program.

"Patrick had a super busy schedule, but he always made time for me," Volk says of his mentoring experience.

Panthers Forward provides graduating seniors on the Pittsburgh campus with up to $5,000 in direct federal student loan relief. Like Volk, students selected for the program can also benefit from networking and ongoing advice from experienced professionals, most of whom are Pitt alumni.

Cornell volunteers with Panthers Forward and other Pitt initiatives because he also benefited from the power of connections as a young professional and wants to extend those opportunities to the next generation of students.

"I know that I wouldn't be where I am now if it weren't for some of the people that I met at networking events or at talks in grad school," he says. "I think it's important to give back because the University really did have an impact on me."

Since 2019, Panthers Forward has provided nearly $4.5 million in direct federal student loan relief to more than 900 Pitt students. In addition to connecting students with mentors, Panthers Forward offers both short- and long-term financial education programming and resources focused on successfully navigating life after graduation.

Volk also capitalized on Panthers Forward's partnership with Savi, a social-impact technology startup that helps student-loan borrowers discover new repayment and forgiveness options. A Savi representative, who presented to Panthers Forward students on campus, even personally followed up to make sure Volk was on the right track toward identifying the best repayment option.

Volk advises eligible seniors to apply to Panthers Forward - and put thought into the essays they submit with their applications.

"It's worth the time," he says. "You can gain so much from Panthers Forward."

Applications to join the Panthers Forward Class of 2025 are now open and close at midnight on Sept. 29. Here's how to apply.

And, alumni and friends, learn more about becoming a mentor.

Photography by Maria Montaño and provided

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