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As two of the 150 students selected for the Panthers Forward Class of 2024, identical twin brothers Nishanth and Roshen Abdullah can’t hide their excitement.

“Having $5,000 [in debt relief] is a huge, huge help for us,” said Nishanth, a finance major. “I'm very appreciative for all those alumni who help support this amazing program.”

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 and workshops.

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

The new Panthers Forward participants have already gathered twice as a class this semester: at an Oct. 18 welcome celebration and an Oct. 30 networking event, where students could have professional headshots taken, connect with mentors in person and via Zoom and benefit from financial planning education.

At Pitt, the Abdullah brothers, pictured at right, have each completed multiple internships, and they co-founded a profitable event-planning business. “We put our minds together and decided we could really get something running,” Roshen, a mechanical engineering major, said of their business.

But Nishanth and Roshen are grateful and eager to learn more about navigating life after graduation. Panthers Forward has already provided them with insights on the importance of investing early and thinking ahead to retirement. And they’re looking forward to connecting with mentors who have managerial and entrepreneurial experience.

“Being successful isn’t just about what you know or what degree you have; it’s about networking and who you know,” Roshen said.

Connections between current students and alumni are at the heart of Panthers Forward, said Sarah Cullen, the program’s director. “The Class of 2024 continues the Panthers Forward tradition of bringing opportunity and mentorship to talented, accomplished students, who in turn see the impact of giving back to help future generations,” she said.

have an average GPA of 3.66 and represent schools and colleges across the University. Participants have also made an impact outside the classroom: 55% of the students have completed at least 100 volunteer hours during their studies at Pitt, and 93% have gained professional experience in their fields through internships and employment. Pennsylvania residents make up 65% of the class.

Since launching in 2019, Panthers Forward has offset $3.75 million in federal loans, helping 750 students address their debt. Applications for the Class of 2025 will open in August 2024.

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— Josh Tysiachney, photography by Joe Appel