UPS and Metro College Are Redefining the Traditional College Experience
What if you could go to college and graduate debt-free? Sounds too good to be true, right? Not so! With the help of UPS and the Metro College Program, students who attend the University of Louisville or Jefferson Community Technical College and work the night shift at UPS Worldport can have their tuition and books paid for by UPS.
There is an ongoing myth held by some students considering the Metro College program that working a job—especially one where the working hours are non- traditional—will keep the student from having a typical college experience. This is not the case, for many reasons. First, consider that a large percentage of Kentuckian college students work jobs while attending school, according to Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. Yet even those who work jobs while going to school still graduate with over $28,000 in debt on average. Working while attending school is the new norm in Kentucky, but graduating debt-free is not.
Next, take a look at Katie Kline. Katy graduated from the University of Louisville as a Metro College student. She was able to attend classes, participate in the equestrian club and pledge a sorority, all while working the night shift for UPS. In the end, she graduated debt-free after receiving over $45,000 in tuition assistance. Unlike many of her recently-graduated peers, Katie also has real world work experience and already owns her own car.
A typical day-in-the-life of a Metro College student doesn’t look much different than any other modern college student. Katie organized her classes and activities around her work schedule, taking most of her classes in the afternoons and evenings and sleeping through the morning hours. “It was just like being a normal student,” Katie recalls. “I still had a presence on campus.” During the equestrian team’s competitive season, she’d take the night before competitions off. She found UPS to be cooperative when she needed to tweak her schedule. She was a member of a sorority all four years she attended U of L and was able to participate in sorority parties and activities.
Katie admits working nights “was a hard change, at first.” Yet by the end, “it became almost natural working nights and sleeping during the day.” Katie hopes her Metro College experience will help show other students considering the Metro College program that it is possible to balance work, school and a traditional college social life. Besides, the reward of graduating without debt is an incredible leg up in today’s economic environment.
It’s easy to get involved with the Metro College program. Head over to metro- college.com and click on the header “Get Started.” One helpful tip for students looking to participate: fill out your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). There are links at Metro-College.com if you need help finding the FAFSA. Also at the website, you’ll find a handy Metro College checklist. Follow the steps and you’ll be on your way to all the amazing benefits UPS and Metro College have to offer! A traditional college experience without the debt can be yours!