The novel coronavirus pandemic has forced more than 16 million Americans to file for unemployment since March causing financial havoc for millions of people, including students–especially those with student loan debt. Now more than ever, it is crucial to help support local students and their financial strains during this economic catastrophe.
For the first year, Park Cities Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates is launching a new community initiative called Wisdom For Wisdom. The program will provide two local students with free wisdom teeth extractions to help offset their college expenses and support their higher education goals. Students can apply to Park Cities Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates’ website until May 14.
College affordability and student loan debt is a crisis that is plaguing the nation. Texas is among one of the top four highest states for total student loan debt outstanding among resident borrowers. The outstanding student loan debt in Texas is estimated at $107.3 billion, making up about seven percent of the total national student loan debt of $1.56 trillion. On top of food, tuition, housing, and other expenses, textbook prices are higher than ever. Statistics show that the soaring rise in textbook costs is the most inflated of all increasing college-related expenditures.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, college tuition and fees have risen over 60 percent and housing more than 50 percent in the past decade. With student debt on the rise, young people are often forced to put off buying homes, a reliable car, and even getting married and having children.
“With the recent abrupt yield to our economy, we are thinking about the local students in our community now more than ever, and want to help alleviate their financial burdens,” Dr. William Phillips said. “This program serves students who are low-income and who do not have the means to afford wisdom teeth extractions. Our goal is to ease the financial burden for students through the Wisdom For Wisdom program and help make a difference in the community.”
The application period for the Wisdom For Wisdom program is open until May 14. To apply, students will watch a video about the wisdom teeth removal procedure, take a short quiz, and submit a 250-word essay about what they learned. Students can apply by visiting: https://parkcitiesoms.com/wisdom. Park Cities Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates will announce the recipients and update the public on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ParkCitiesOMS.
[…] First appeared on North Dallas Gazette […]