Want to have part of your student loan debt paid off for you? You may have that chance if you are willing to move to Anderson County. County commissioners have opted in to a plan designed to lure new residents to the area with a promise of paying off portions of their student debt. The rural opportunity zone student loan repayment program, through the department of commerce, is an incentive program to bring educated, talented individuals into rural community. The maximum amount to repaid would be $15,000 over a term of five years. In exchange, applicants for the benefit have to live in Anderson County and hold an associate’s, bachelors or post graduate degree before they arrive, and prove their previous residence outside the county as well as their new local residence. The program also requires the applicant have a sponsor who would then partner with Kansas and match the funds committed by the state for the repayment plan. County economic development director Julie Turnipseed says the program is another offering local officials can make to particular individuals in order to recruit them to the local area because of their specific talents or for specific targeted industries.
