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Understand and Manage Your Student Loans

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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 post-graduate 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.


 

Sign up for Savi

 

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
NASW advocates for loan forgiveness for social workers as part of our ongoing work to improve working conditions and salaries, to support social work professionals and to ensure that consumers have continued access to qualified professionals.