With nearly 1 in 4 employees at risk of student loan default, Tuition.io debuts a 7-day, “zero-IT” implementation plan to stabilize the workforce and prevent financial flight risk
Tuition.io, the leading platform for employer-sponsored student loan benefits, today announced the launch of its “Quick Start” Student Loan Wellness program.
Designed specifically for large employers, the program offers a streamlined, seven-day deployment to help employees navigate complex student loan debt repayment requirements and avoid the catastrophic financial impact of default. To encourage organizations to act quickly, Tuition.io is waiving all implementation fees for employers that commit to launching the Quick Start program by June 1, 2026.
The launch of Quick Start comes amid shifting federal student loan enforcement timelines. In late December, the Department of Education announced plans to resume administrative wage garnishment (AWG) for defaulted federal student loans on January 7, 2026. While enforcement has since been delayed, the Department of Education has indicated that collections are expected to resume following the implementation of the OBBBA student loan overhaul taking effect July 1, 2026.
With 29% of the workforce currently struggling with student debt delinquency, the resumption of wage garnishment creates a multifaceted “flight risk” that extends beyond salary competition. When up to 15% of disposable wages are seized, the perceived value of an employee’s labor drops. Furthermore, the “exposure” of debt to HR departments may trigger a desire for a fresh start among employees facing wage garnishment, while others may mistakenly resign in an attempt to outrun collections. Employers cannot afford to treat the pause as a reprieve; once AWG restarts, its impact on payroll operations and workforce stability will be swift and difficult to mitigate through standard retention efforts.
“Wage garnishment is a silent killer of workforce retention and engagement,” said Scott Thompson, CEO of Tuition.io. “When a paycheck is slashed, employees don’t just feel the stress — they look for the exit. The tragedy is that garnishment is preventable, but the bureaucracy is so dense that borrowers don’t know where to start. Quick Start changes that by allowing employers to proactively step in, resolving the issue before it disrupts the employee’s life and the company’s stability.”
Recognizing that HR departments are overextended, the Quick Start program is engineered for speed and simplicity. The program requires zero IT integration and provides a fully branded employee experience in just seven days. Key features include:
- 7-Day Rapid Implementation: A turnkey launch schedule to provide immediate relief to employees.
- Garnishment Prevention Education: A dedicated series of live webinars and Q&A sessions focused on the steps to stop or prevent delinquency and default.
- Unlimited 1:1 Loan Coaching: Personalized, private guidance for employees and their family members to navigate changing repayment plans.
- Student Loan Wellness Platform: Full access to Tuition.io’s proprietary financial decision tools and resources for employees and family members.
- Branded Microsite & Communications: A complete, Tuition.io-administered communication package to ensure high employee awareness.
- Tuition Discounts: Access to tuition reductions at over 100 universities and certification programs for employees and family members.
For employers, the Quick Start program acts as a proactive shield. Beyond the human cost, wage garnishment adds payroll complexity and drives turnover risk. By deploying this safety net, organizations can protect their talent, reduce administrative overhead and solidify their standing as an employer of choice in a volatile market.
Tuition.io is currently offering a full implementation fee waiver for organizations that commit to launching the Quick Start program by June 1, 2026. To learn more or activate this benefit, visit Tuition.io (https://www.tuition.io/student-loan-financial-wellness).
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