The Dartmouth Educational Association (DEA) is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization founded in 1896 for the sole purpose of providing loans to Dartmouth students. The capital to make these loans comes from over 125 years of accumulating gifts and dues from its members. As loans and interest are repaid, the proceeds are used for new loans, allowing the accumulated membership dues to help many generations of students. Although independent of the college, the DEA calls upon Dartmouth College’s Office of Financial Aid to identify those students who would benefit most from these loans.
The DEA has thrived over all these years because there is no other organization like it. The DEA brings together hundreds of Dartmouth alumni, at little cost to each, to provide meaningful loans to young men and women so that they may focus on academic studies while attending Dartmouth, rather than worrying about any associated financial burden.
The scope of DEA lending is significant. With total loans outstanding of well in excess of $3 million, the DEA continues to be the single largest source of non-federal loans to Dartmouth students.
As you are likely aware, Dartmouth is currently in the midst of the Call to Lead, a $3 billion capital campaign. One of the stated goals of the campaign is to eliminate student loans. However, we have learned from the Dartmouth Financial Aid Office that while the total financial aid awarded to students will not include loans students may request loans to reduce a family contribution or replace student employment. For these reasons, there will always be a demand for student loans and the DEA will continue to be an important source of those loans.
Your annual gift is small but the impact is large. At only $50, the annual dues are low so that virtually every Dartmouth graduate can afford to support the DEA. As an alternative to paying annual dues, you may wish to to become a life member by making a one-time payment of $500. Whichever option you choose, we encourage you to support this unique loan program and the Dartmouth students it benefits.
All membership dues are tax deductible.