Wayne County is taking action to help residents manage the growing burden of student loan debt. The cost of higher education has risen dramatically over the past several decades, and today more than 200,000 Wayne County residents collectively hold more than $7 billion in student loan debt. While many pursued higher education to advance their careers and build a better future, those goals have too often come with long-term financial strain.
To address this challenge, Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans, in collaboration with Savi, a public benefit corporation specializing in student loan assistance, is launching a new initiative to support borrowers. Through this program, Wayne County will provide free, personalized support to help residents lower monthly payments and, when eligible, access federal loan forgiveness programs. This service will be available at no cost to all Wayne County residents and Wayne County employees.
Wayne County joins Oakland County as one of the first county governments in the nation to offer this benefit to all residents. Oakland County’s program has already helped more than 6,000 residents save nearly $30 million annually in student loan costs, and Wayne County anticipates a similarly strong impact.
Employees will gain access to Savi’s tools that simplify student loan management, including personalized guidance, pre-filled Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) forms, and employer eligibility verification. With employer trainings and ready-to-use communication toolkits, employees are better equipped to maximize loan forgiveness opportunities and plan for long-term financial stability. At the same time, the broader public benefits from a more streamlined, countywide approach that connects government and nonprofit workers to debt relief resources—reducing financial stress and strengthening the local workforce.
Wayne County is taking action to help residents manage the growing burden of student loan debt. The cost of higher education has risen dramatically over the past several decades, and today more than 200,000 Wayne County residents collectively hold more than $7 billion in student loan debt. While many pursued higher education to advance their careers and build a better future, those goals have too often come with long-term financial strain.
To address this challenge, Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans, in collaboration with Savi, a public benefit corporation specializing in student loan assistance, is launching a new initiative to support borrowers. Through this program, Wayne County will provide free, personalized support to help residents lower monthly payments and, when eligible, access federal loan forgiveness programs. This service will be available at no cost to all Wayne County residents and Wayne County employees.
Wayne County joins Oakland County as one of the first county governments in the nation to offer this benefit to all residents. Oakland County’s program has already helped more than 6,000 residents save nearly $30 million annually in student loan costs, and Wayne County anticipates a similarly strong impact.
Employees will gain access to Savi’s tools that simplify student loan management, including personalized guidance, pre-filled Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) forms, and employer eligibility verification. With employer trainings and ready-to-use communication toolkits, employees are better equipped to maximize loan forgiveness opportunities and plan for long-term financial stability. At the same time, the broader public benefits from a more streamlined, countywide approach that connects government and nonprofit workers to debt relief resources—reducing financial stress and strengthening the local workforce.
