# Student Loan-Paying Work Perks Google Will Help Employees Pay Off Their Student Loans By Grace Mahas | Published 2020-10-01 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pay-off-their-student-loans References: [businessinsider](https://www.businessinsider.com/google-helping-employees-pay-off-student-loan-debt-2020-9) & [blog.google](https://www.blog.google/inside-google/life-at-google/helping-googlers-tackle-student-loan-debt/) As part of a new work benefit, [Google](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grow-with-google) will help employees pay off their student loans beginning in 2021 and will match up to 2,500 per employee per year. The new work benefit was introduced as a response to the global [student loan debt issue](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/debt-relief-initiative), which is currently $1.5 trillion dollars, twice what it was a decade ago. According to Google, this disproportionately affects women ad communities of color, and Google believes that a "lack of financial resources should not prevent someone from accessing the opportunities that come with education." As the student loans continue plaguing society, specifically [disadvantaged communities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jump-start-your-career), we can expect other big brands to follow Google's lead and to support their employees with similar benefits. Image Credit: Carsten Koall/Getty Images ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 27% | Activity: 61% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Social Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialbusiness) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Student Loan Repayment Benefits:** Providing employee assistance in repaying student loans can be a disruptive innovation opportunity for companies wishing to attract and retain top talent. - **Addressing Student Loan Debt:** The growing issue of student loan debt presents an opportunity for industries to develop innovative solutions to alleviate the financial burden on individuals and promote financial wellness. - **Equitable Employee Benefits:** Companies can disrupt the status quo by offering inclusive benefits that address the disproportionate impact of student loan debt on marginalized communities. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Technology:** Tech companies can lead the way by offering student loan repayment benefits to attract and retain skilled professionals in a competitive job market. - **Financial Services:** Financial institutions can create innovative tools and services to help individuals better manage and repay their student loan debt, promoting financial well-being and reducing the burden. - **Human Resources:** HR departments can play a pivotal role in advocating for and implementing student loan repayment benefits as part of comprehensive employee wellness programs, helping to alleviate financial stress and improve employee satisfaction. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Workforce Upskilling Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grow-with-google.md) - [Senior Reskilling Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/google-aarp.md) - [Blockchain Payment Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/google-labs.md) - [Gen Z-Supporting Benefit Policies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chipotle-6.md) - [Work Away Benefits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/work-away-benefit.md) - [Employee-Only Smart Desk Lamps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/google-dlight.md) - [Educational AI Subscriptions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chatgpt-free-students.md) - [Increased AI Accessibility Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chatgpt-plus-is-free.md) - [Pay-By-Voice Mobile Transactions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/voice-pay.md)