Panthers Forward, which has helped more than 1,000 Pitt students address their debt, welcomes its seventh class

The University of Pittsburgh's Panthers Forward program, which has helped more than 1,000 students address their federal student loan debt over the last seven years, welcomed 150 seniors to its Class of 2025 this fall.

Panthers Forward is a first-of-its-kind program open to all students on the University's Pittsburgh campus who use federal loans to fund their last year of college. Participants receive up to $5,000 in direct federal student loan relief, mentoring from Pitt alumni and exclusive invitations to events, workshops and financial planning resources.

The only condition is a voluntary one: that students pay it forward to the next generation, either financially or by contributing their time and talents after graduation.

The newest class has already gathered twice this semester: at an Oct. 23 welcome celebration and an Oct. 28 networking event, where students could take professional headshots, benefit from financial planning education and connect with classmates and mentors.