Wiley Student Debt
Wiley College's Class of 2022 celebrates the announcement that an anonymous donor has paid their outstanding student debt. (Wiley College Photo)
MARSHALL, Texas – Wiley College Class of 2022 graduated May 10 with not only their degree but with their balances cleared by an anonymous donor. Over 100 students gathered on the Pemberton Sports Complex Field to participate in Wiley College’s 133rd Commencement Convocation and were surprised when they were informed that their balances were cleared by President & CEO Herman J. Felton, Jr. J.D., Ph.D.
Although Wiley College is committed to access and has reduced its tuition in the past years to $17,500 (tuition, fees, and room and board), students sometimes still will have balances. The COVID-19 Global Pandemic only exacerbated many students’ ability to pay their balances. The announcement of cleared balances for graduates was a welcome surprise as students and parents were demonstrative in the audience when they heard the news.
“Our commitment to our students goes beyond their time while they are enrolled. We are constantly communicating with donors to assist students in these ways so that they can begin their after-college experience with less debt. We are grateful for this anonymous donor who will assist the students in paying off their balances to Wiley College and help us achieve institutional goals of graduating our students with little to no debt,” said President Dr. Felton.
The estimated total for balances owed to the College by the graduating class of 2022 is $300,000. The anonymous gift sets graduates on a continued path to success and allows Wiley College to strengthen its commitment to providing an affordable exceptional education. As Wiley College closes the academic semester and prepares for its Sesquicentennial Celebrations beginning in July, this is a great way to end the semester and start the celebration of 150 years of the College’s contributions to the world.
Founded in 1873 in Marshall, Texas, Wiley College is a historically Black, liberal arts, residential, co-educational, baccalaureate degree-granting institution affiliated with The United Methodist Church. Committed to the principle of educational access, the College serves traditional and non-traditional students from diverse backgrounds who have expressed a desire and potential for learning in a Christian environment. Home of “The Great Debaters,” Wiley College has an intentional focus on social good and leadership, and its motto is “Go forth Inspired.”