Paid In Full
Debt Relief Comes To 64 Current And Former BSU Students From Prince George’s County Council District 8
How much did County Councilmember Ed Burroughs spend to eliminate college debt for students at Bowie State University, and how many did he assist with retiring that debt?
For Noelle Pelham, the announcement at Bowie State University meant more than a line disappearing from her student account. More than $10,000 in charges were wiped away, giving the freshman biology major room to focus on medical school and her dream of opening a community health clinic.
According to sources, Burroughs applied $360,000 to retire the debt of 64 District 8 students of the university. Pelham was among 64 current and former Bowie State students from Prince George's County District 8 whose outstanding university balances were cleared through an initiative announced by Councilmember Edward Burroughs III and Bowie State President Dr. Aminta H. Breaux.
The $360,000 grant provides $180,000 to eliminate balances for the fall semester and another $180,000 to assist District 8 students in the spring. For fall, Bowie State identified 56 students who were enrolled but carrying unpaid balances, seven who could not enroll because of earlier debts, and one graduate whose balance was preventing the university from releasing a diploma. "For this fall semester, Bowie State identified 64 District 8 students carrying outstanding balances owed directly to this university, and today we are eliminating those balances," Burroughs said. Now, as the councilmember representing District 8, he has returned to remove the financial obstacle. "No District 8 student should have their education or future held back because of a balance they owe their university," Burroughs said. "Whether it means allowing a student to continue their education, return to the classroom, or finally receive the diploma they worked so hard to earn, paying these balances gives our students an opportunity to move forward and focus on building their futures." The investment was made possible through the MGM National Harbor Local Impact Grant, a revenue-supported program intended to benefit communities affected by the casino. Burroughs' broader plan allocates $9.7 million annually for three years from that fund for education and other District 8 priorities. The Bowie State money will be deposited with the university's foundation and administered by its Office of Private Scholarships and Grants. The relief comes as college affordability remains a national concern. Bowie State's approved 2026-27 tuition and mandatory fees total $9,894 a year for in-state undergraduates and $21,047 for out-of-state students. By comparison, average published tuition and fees at public four-year colleges were $11,950 for in-state students in 2025-26; the private nonprofit average was $45,000. "We are grateful for Councilmember Edward Burroughs III's investment and support of students attending Bowie State from his district," Breaux said. "By eliminating these outstanding balances, he is expanding access to higher education and creating opportunities for students to continue their academic journeys." For Pelham, those words have an immediate, human meaning. "Being able to be here at Bowie State University for my first year, and getting my bill paid for, is very special to me," she said. "This gift lifts a financial burden" and puts her in a stronger position to pursue medicine and eventually serve her community.
