Student loan debt is a burden for social workers. More than 80% of BSW and MSW graduates carry loan debt according to the Council on Social Work Education.
Managing your student loans as a social worker comes with unique challenges. Many social workers have both undergraduate and postgraduate education, leading to more debt than for many other professionals. And a high percentage of social workers are employed in the public sector or in non-profit agencies. While this can often mean lower salaries than in the private sector, it also means potential benefits from the federal government for student loan repayment.
NASW advocates for loan forgiveness for social workers as part of its ongoing work to improve working conditions and salaries, to support social work professionals, and to ensure that consumers have continued access to qualified professionals.
NASW has now partnered with Savi, a student loan technology company, to provide our members with access to resources and expertise to better understand, manage, and repay student loan debt. The Savi Student Loan Tool analyzes repayment and forgiveness programs to help borrowers make better decisions and determine the best solution, and can also provide digital enrollment and re-enrollment each year.
Members can select a free account to explore options at no cost or choose a member-discounted premium account to get help enrolling and submitting application paperwork directly to loan servicers, and access one-on-one support with student loan experts. According to Savi, users have a projected average savings of $2,064 a year and save hours in paperwork and anxiety.
Think you qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) but don’t know where to start?
Savi guides you step by step through the PSLF application and enrollment process, working directly with your servicer and employer to ensure you’re on the right track towards student loan forgiveness.
With a free DIY account, members can:
-
Get a personalized estimate:
Input your loan info to see all available options.
-
Review options:
Compare all your repayment options side-by-side, including potential forgiveness for eligible borrowers.
-
Access resources:
Complete forms for your chosen repayment plan and/or forgiveness program, and file them on your own.
With a $25 premium Essential account, members can also:
-
Enroll:
Pick a repayment plan and/or forgiveness program, and quickly enroll through Savi’s paperless application process
-
Monitor:
Ensure you never miss your re-certification deadline with the Savi Student Loan Tool. Get ongoing advice, tools, and information about the status of your loans throughout the year
-
Get Support:
Receive unlimited access to one-on-one support with Savi student loan experts
Related Resources
Student Loan Forgiveness: A Guide to Income-Driven Repayment Programs
Federal Student Aid: Income-Driven Repayment Plans
Federal Student Aid: How to Get Your Student Loans Forgiven (No, Really)
Federal Student Aid: Public Service Loan Forgiveness
SAVI FAQs
What is this tool?
Savi partners with organizations to provide members with an online student loan evaluation tool to determine your eligibility for federal repayment and forgiveness programs.
How does this work?
Just answer a few questions on our secure website, and the software will do the rest. It will automatically determine your repayment options, including whether you qualify for any loan forgiveness program, and show you what your potential savings could be.
Does it cost to use Savi?
The online calculator will allow you to determine your repayment options and show you what your potential savings could be for FREE. Once you see your options, you can choose to apply for the programs yourself. You can also take advantage of our convenient e-filing service and get 1-on-1 support from our student loan experts for a discounted rate.
Can I get a refund on my Savi Essential fee?
Yes, Savi offers a 100% money-back guarantee. Contact
partners+legal@bysavi.com
for more information or check out our
Terms & Conditions
.
Who is Savi?
We are student loan experts, advocates, and borrowers — people who have been fighting for many years to improve the broken student loan system. We’ve seen some progress, like improving income-based repayment options or providing loan forgiveness for people in certain high-need fields of work. But it’s not enough to help the 44+ million student-loan borrowers. We realized that borrowers need better and more personalized information about how to manage and repay their debt. All the repayment options and loan terms can seem overwhelming, and most of the information online is not personalized or doesn’t have your best interests at heart. Savi is a registered public benefit company that helps student loan borrowers find their path to student loan freedom.
How does the tool benefit you?
We developed a unique algorithm to review your student loan options and summarize repayment options that fit your needs. Whether that’s saving as much as you can per month or paying the least total amount over time, the decision is ultimately yours. If you decide to move forward with a program, we can help enroll you digitally so you do not have to worry about completing complicated paperwork. We are not financial advisors — but our goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to make the best decision.
Why does this tool exist?
According to CNBC, 70% of college students graduate with a significant amount of student loan debt. 44 million Americans collectively hold nearly $1.5 trillion in student debt, with the average being $37,172. Our tool is designed to help members navigate this confusing and intimidating financial hurdle.
What information do you need to use the tool?
When you are completing Savi’s online registration, you will enter your basic personal information, tax information, and can sync your student loans. We recommend having a recent tax return and student loan statement available to make your registration run as efficiently as possible.
How do you contact customer service?
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns for the Savi team please click on the Help button to chat online with support, email
partners+nasw@bysavi.com
, or call
1-855-SAVI-702 (1-855-728-4702)
anytime between 8:30 am-8:00 pm, Monday-Friday to contact Savi support.
Where do you go to login to your account?
You can log into your account using your existing login credentials by clicking the green “login” button at the top right corner of your screen. You can also refer to the link in the confirmation email you received upon registering your account.
Who does Savi partner with?
Savi partners with employers, unions, colleges and membership organizations to help their constituents better manage student debt. The tool is offered as an employee and member benefit.
Know people that could really use this help?
If you know an organization or have a community of people who could benefit from access to Savi, please email
partners@bysavi.com
for more information.