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.
Episode Guest
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Heather Jarvis
Heather Jarvis is an attorney and a nationally recognized expert specializing in student loan law. She has provided award-winning student loan education and consultation for universities, associations and professional advisors since 2005. Heather served as Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Advisor to the United States Department of Education’s rulemaking committee in 2021. Heather graduated cum laude from Duke University School of Law and is co-founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit Fosterus. Fosterus assists funders and employers by administering tax-advantaged student Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAPs) designed to increase the capacity of public and charitable employers.
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