BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gradifi, the leading provider of student loan repayment and college savings programs for U.S. employers, today announced an innovative education program that enables employers to offer counseling and advice to employees with student loan debt.
Gradifi is partnering with Boston-based nonprofit American Student Assistance® (ASA), which will provide phone and online counseling support to employees whose companies offer Gradifi’s SLP Plan® (Student Loan Paydown) program. ASA® will help employees understand their options and recommend solutions to help borrowers manage their student loan debt.
Gradifi is the first student loan repayment provider to offer ASA’s counseling and advice services to member companies and their employees.
Meera Oliva, Chief Marketing Officer of Gradifi, said, “American Student Assistance is one of the nation’s recognized leaders in educating individuals and families about student loans. Providing counseling to employees is another innovative way Gradifi is addressing the student debt crisis in America, while helping employers differentiate themselves in the marketplace for talent.”
ASA has created a number of programs, including College Planning Services, the Center for Consumer Advocacy, and financial education, which is used by higher education institutions, nonprofits, and corporations nationwide and reaches more than 4 million consumers.
Alisa Wilke, Managing Director of Strategy and Innovation at ASA, said, “American Student Assistance is dedicated to helping students make smart decisions about education, including responsible financing and repaying student loans. With more than 60 years of experience working directly with students, ASA is well-positioned to provide student loan counseling and support to employees that participate in the SLP Plan. Our partnership with Gradifi will allow us to reach more people, so they can become confident, financially competent consumers throughout their adult lives.”
Gradifi works with more than 360 employers across the U.S. and provides both a student loan repayment program and a college savings program. Offered as a turnkey employee benefit, both programs help employees take control of their student loan debt, while providing employers with a competitive advantage in recruiting highly educated workers.
About Gradifi
A First Republic company, Gradifi is an innovator in educational employee benefits for U.S. employers. Gradifi’s mission is to help employers compete more effectively for talent by providing employee benefits that support an employee’s investment in education. According to research commissioned by Gradifi, eight in 10 consider student loan debt to be a significant source of stress. Gradifi offers both a student loan repayment benefit and college savings benefit program through its scalable, easy-to-implement online platform. Gradifi’s SLP Plan® is endorsed by the American Bankers Association. To learn more, visit www.gradifi.com or www.twitter.com/gradifi.
