UofL's Comeback Cards program gives students a second chance at graduating

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The University of Louisville is giving students who didn't graduate a second chance at walking across the graduation stage.

UofL is achieving this through its Comeback Cards program. It's a debt forgiveness program launched this spring and targets former students to get them re-enrolled and back on track.

"I came to UofL back in 2003 originally, right after I got back from the desert, I was deployed with the Kentucky Air National Guard," Heather Marshall, Comeback Cards students, said.

For almost ten years, Marshall balanced student life with military life, until she walked away from school in 2011 when she became a mother.

At the time, she left for good and headed to Washington, D.C.

"I was active duty for about 12 years," Marshall said.

More than a decade, and three kids later, she's back in Louisville.

"It's been such a beacon of light coming back to Louisville and moving home," Marshall said.

She was able to re-enrolled at UofL through the Comeback Cards program.

"So having this program as an option was a literal godsend," Marshall said.

The program takes away financial barriers, forgiving portions of a former student's debt for every semester they complete.

“We kind of think about it almost as like a reverse scholarship,” Hannah White, UofL Assistant Director for Adult Services, said.

Eligible students for the Comeback Cards program must have been previously enrolled at UofL, been away for at least two academic years, owe a balance of $4,000 or less, and be working towards their first bachelor’s degree.

Marshall said with a family, returning to college was never in the cards until she heard about Comeback Cards.

"Not having a staple like my bachelor's degree is a hindrance," Marshall said.

She’s now a senior and closer to earning her degree in Urban Planning and Public Affairs.

"Being able to come back here and secure that degree, I feel like, will be a big, big deal,” Marshall said.

And she will walk across that graduation stage.

"Really excited about being here," Marshall said.