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Student Loan & Tuition

Turn student debt into your retention engine

One of the most effective ways to support employees and keep them longer.

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THE SILENT CRISIS
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The invisible weight on your best people

They show up. They hit KPIs. But behind the performance, millions are carrying a financial weight that follows them home. Across the U.S., 43 million employees live with student debt averaging around $37,000 each, delaying buying homes, starting families, and saving for the future.

You can't fix the entire system. But with SideUp, you hold the key to unlocking their financial freedom - tax-free.

Compliance Engine

Complex tax law.
Simple software.

Your CFO fears audits. Your HR team fears paperwork. SideUp eliminates both with a fully automated compliance engine.

Loan Verified
Sent to
Loan Servicer
IRS FORM 1098-E

See How SideUp Works in 4 Easy Steps

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01.

Choose your benefits

Decide which benefits you want to offer and who they apply to.
02.

Implement your policy

Set your budget, eligibility rules, and spending limits. Our platform handles the compliance and guardrails automatically.

03.

Connect to payroll

Seamlessly integrate with your existing payroll provider. We handle the tax implications and reporting for you.

04.

Join the SideUp platform

Invite your team. They get their cards, you get the credit for being an amazing employer. Everyone wins.
REAL IMPACT, MEASURED IN RESULTS

The numbers don't lie

Based on SideUp’s internal research comparing clients with vs. without flexible stipends. When you give employees choice, the numbers speak for themselves.

eNPS Points
+35
eNPS Points
Clients using SideUp consistently score +35 points higher than those relying on standard perks.
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Profit
+ 23%
Profit
Employees who are happy with their benefits are more productive and can increase a company’s revenue by up to 23%.
ROI
10x
ROI
For every $1 spent on SideUp stipends, companies save $10 in retention costs and productivity gains.
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about student loan and tuition benefits.

What is a student loan repayment benefit?

It's a benefit where employers contribute directly toward an employee's student loan balance or tuition costs, on top of regular salary.

How much can employers contribute tax-free?

Under IRS Section 127, US employers can contribute up to $5,250 per employee per year toward student loans or tuition, tax-free for both the employer and the employee.

Is student loan assistance taxable to the employee?

No, up to the $5,250 annual IRS limit, contributions are excluded from the employee's taxable income when structured under a qualifying Section 127 plan.

How does SideUp pay down an employee's student loan?

Payments go directly to the employee's loan servicer or are applied through the SideUp card, so employees don't have to submit reimbursement claims.

Can all employees use this benefit, or only recent graduates?

Any employee with outstanding student loans or eligible tuition expenses can typically use it. It's not limited to recent graduates.

Does offering student loan benefits actually help with retention?

Yes. 91% of employees with student debt report feeling anxious about it, and 77% say they'd choose an employer that helps pay it down, which directly affects both hiring and retention.

Ready to turn debt relief into retention?

Turn financial pressure into long-term loyalty.

Because when employees feel financially secure, they show up more focused, committed, and ready to stay.