Founded in 1888 near Toledo, Ohio, Tiffin University serves more than 3,000 students and reports that 98% of undergraduate students achieve positive results after graduation. As an employer, Tiffin focuses on benefits that promote the financial wellbeing, engagment and long-term retention of employees.
Necesidad
Tiffin University regularly reviews its benefits strategy to stay competitive and meet the evolving needs of its workforce. Student debt stood out as a major challenge — especially in a workforce where many employees qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
At the same time, rising costs of living and changing employee expectations made it clear that traditional benefits like healthcare and retirement were no longer enough.
The university wanted to offer more practical benefits that reduce financial stress, support employees’ individual needs, and attract and keep strong talent over time.
Solución
Tiffin partnered with PNC Financial Wellness Solutions to launch the PNC Student Debt Solution, powered by Candidly, for full-time faculty and staff in enero de 2026.
Ahead of the launch, PNC and Tiffin worked together on a focused communication plan to build awareness and early engagement.
The solution gives employees a simple way to manage student debt through an easy-to-use platform. The solution can help employees check availability for loan forgiveness, explore refinancing options, choose better repayment strategies, and plan for future education costs.
Employees also have access to personalized, one-on-one coaching from student loan experts, enabling them to make informed decisions with more confidence and clarity.
Resultados
Since launch, engagement has been strong and feedback positive. Many employees point to personalized coaching and easy-to-use tools as key differentiators that help them take control of student debt, reduce financial stress, and redirect their savings toward other priorities.
In one example, a faculty member substantially reduced monthly loan payments, freeing up funds to support a family member’s long-term care.
The impact also extends beyond individual outcomes and has strengthened the university’s recruiting and retention. Candidates often ask about the student debt benefit during the hiring process — particularly those coming from other higher education institutions.
The solution has also reduced the burden on HR. Previously, staff spent time walking employees through complex PSLF and loan questions. Now, employees can work directly with dedicated specialists, enabling HR team members to focus on more strategic work.
Tiffin and PNC continue to promote the program through ongoing communication and benefit events to drive awareness, usage, and long-term value.
We're always looking for ways to stay ahead and offer benefits that truly matter to our employees. PNC Student Debt Solution makes a real difference — not just financially, but in giving people confidence and peace of mind. It's an area where we've seen strong engagement, and we believe it helps set us apart as an employer.
