For millions of employees, student loan debt isn't a thing of the past, it's a monthly reality that shapes every financial decision they make.

May is Month 5 of the 2026 Financial Wellness Calendar for Employees, your month-by-month roadmap to building a financially confident and high-performing workforce in 2026. This month, the focus turns to one of the most persistent and emotionally heavy financial burdens your employees may be carrying: student loan debt.

The landscape around student loan repayment continues to shift, leaving many borrowers confused, anxious, and unsure of their next steps. That uncertainty doesn't just affect employees' finances — it affects their focus, their well-being, and their ability to show up fully at work. Your Money Line has helped employees unlock more than $97 million in student loan forgiveness, and counting. May is your opportunity to make sure your workforce knows support is available.

What May Is All About

In May, the focus is on:

• Helping employees understand the current student loan repayment landscape and their options
• Equipping HR and benefits leaders with the context to support borrowers strategically
• Connecting employees to trusted, unbiased resources that cut through the confusion

May Resources to Support Your Strategy

Webinar: Student Loan Repayments 101

The rules around student loan repayment keep changing, and employees are struggling to keep up. This webinar provides guidance on repayment changes and practical strategies for managing obligations effectively. It's an especially valuable resource for healthcare workers navigating Public Service Loan Forgiveness, early-career employees just entering repayment, and anyone trying to make sense of income-driven repayment options.

Student Loan Repayments Are Draining Employees

Student debt isn't just a personal finance issue, it's a workforce issue. This resource helps HR and benefits leaders understand the real organizational impact of student loan stress, from productivity loss to retention risk, and makes the case for why targeted support can make a meaningful difference. Share it with leadership to build the business case for adding student loan guidance to your financial wellness strategy.

Student Loan Resources for Borrowers

Sometimes employees just need a trusted, unbiased place to start. This federal resource from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau walks borrowers through their repayment protections, rights, and options in plain language. It's a credible, easy-to-share tool to include in your benefits communications or intranet.

The News You Need On Student Loan Forgiveness

For employees who've heard about loan forgiveness but aren't sure if it applies to them, this resource cuts through the noise. It walks borrowers through what they actually need to know, including the PSLF certification form, common reasons applications get denied, and how to stay on track toward the 120 qualifying payments. A great piece to share with any employee who works in public service or a nonprofit setting.

PSLF: What Is It and How Does It Work?

Public Service Loan Forgiveness is one of the most powerful and most misunderstood benefits available to eligible borrowers. This explainer breaks down how PSLF works, who qualifies, and what other forgiveness programs exist for those who don't meet the PSLF criteria. It's a comprehensive starting point for healthcare workers, educators, government employees, and anyone employed by a qualifying nonprofit.

How This Fits Into the Bigger Picture

May builds naturally on the momentum of the first four months. You have helped employees get their financial footing, supported them through tax season, and encouraged them to think longer term about retirement. Student loan debt is often what stands between employees and those bigger goals — it delays savings, strains budgets, and quietly chips away at morale and mental well-being.

When employees get real guidance on their student loans, not a chatbot, not a FAQ page, but an actual conversation with someone who knows their situation, the relief is tangible. That sense of support has ripple effects across your entire workforce: less stress, more focus, and stronger engagement.

Download the full Financial Wellness Calendar to plan your year with confidence.