About this episode
Imagine stacks of $100 bills stretching from Earth past the International Space Station — that’s the staggering reality of America’s $1.77 trillion student debt crisis. Heather Jarvis , executive director of Fosterus — a nonprofit that helps employers administer loan assistance programs — joins host Monique Akanbi to unpack how this burden affects today’s workforce and why employer-sponsored loan repayment programs are a win for both employees and organizations. Together, they explore how expanding access to these benefits can help close equity gaps across race, ethnicity, and gender. They also share tax-advantage strategies for offering cost-effective support. This podcast is approved for .5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Listen to the complete episode to get your activity ID at the end. ID expires August 1, 2026. Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz --- Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r