Eastern Michigan University is expanding its Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP), known as EMU Advantage, to include 16 additional academic programs beyond its original focus on education majors. The expansion builds on the success of the EMU Educators Promise, which was launched to support future teachers and address Michigan’s ongoing teacher shortage.
The EMU Advantage program provides a financial safety net for graduates whose annual income is less than $50,000. For those who qualify, the university helps repay their federal, parent PLUS, and private alternative student loans at no cost to students or their families.
“EMU Advantage reflects our deep commitment to student success and workforce development,” said Katie Condon-Martin, vice president of enrollment management at Eastern Michigan University. “We saw incredible engagement with the Educators Promise, and expanding this support to more majors was the natural next step.”
In fall 2025, 121 students enrolled at EMU with LRAP support, according to university officials. About 88% of those students were first-year or transfer students pursuing education degrees. That represents a sharp increase from fall 2024, when 39 students participated in the program during a late recruitment cycle.
The program’s growth comes amid a persistent teacher shortage in Michigan. A 2024 report by the Education Policy Innovation Collaborative found that 498 school districts reported teaching vacancies during the 2022–2023 school year, with some districts facing vacancy rates of more than 10% of total teaching positions. Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan has identified addressing the teacher shortage as one of its main priorities.
Now, with the EMU Advantage expansion, students in 16 additional majors—including Communication, Economics, International Affairs, Public and Nonprofit Administration, and Social Work—will also be eligible for loan repayment assistance.
Students who have taken part in the program say it has provided them with a sense of stability and confidence about their future.
“Knowing that EMU has my back if I don’t earn enough after graduation gave me the confidence to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher,” one student said. “It’s not just financial support—it’s peace of mind.”
Another student said, “The reassurance that LRAP provides has definitely influenced how comfortable I feel getting a degree in teaching. I am very happy that I am able to do what I want with my life and feel safer financially.”
“As someone paying for college on my own, it’s a relief to know there’s additional assistance and financial light at the end of this journey,” another student said. “Furthering my education to teach young students is a passion I’ve chosen to pursue, though it’s costly. The LRAP program gives me confidence and security in my decision to become a teacher and study at EMU.”
Students outside of education fields have also described the program as a significant source of relief. “The Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) has been an incredible relief,” one participant said. “As someone who pursued a career in public service, I was concerned about managing my student loan debt while following my passion. LRAP has given me the financial confidence to focus on making an impact in my community without being overwhelmed by repayment worries. Knowing there’s a safety net if my income falls below a certain level allows me to pursue meaningful work with peace of mind.”
Others highlighted the program’s role in helping them complete their degrees. “The loan repayment assistant program is a vital tool that will help me complete my education and reach my potential career goal to become a music teacher,” one student said. Another added, “I am the daughter of an immigrant mother who taught me how valuable education is and how it will serve me as I grow. I am incredibly grateful for this program and the stress it will lift from my shoulders. Thank you.”
“Because of this opportunity, I will be able to further my education in my dream profession and make my parents proud,” one student said. Another added, “It will help my future greatly by letting me have financial stability as an educator early on in my career.”
Eastern Michigan officials say expanding the program to more majors could help more students enter careers in fields that align with Michigan’s workforce needs while easing concerns about long-term debt.
For more information and a list of programs eligible for loan repayment assistance, visit EMU’s website.
