Spotlight: New York City Administration for Children’s Services

Employees at New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) carry an average student loan balance of $91,860, a real burden on the shoulders of people doing vital work. When NYC made Summer’s student loan services free for every employee and resident, ACS ran with it. Nearly 15% of ACS employees now use Summer and are on track to save more than $12 million collectively on their student loans. On average, Summer users at ACS are saving $580 per month. This didn’t happen by accident. We spoke with ACS about how they got their staff on board, what the response has been like, and what lessons other agencies might take from their experience.

ACS has stood out for how many employees have taken advantage of NYC’s new student loan services through Summer. What do you think has driven that level of enthusiasm?

ACS has taken a proactive approach to promoting the Summer program. We’ve shared information through Commissioner Bulletins emailed regularly to staff, posted details on our intranet, and encouraged employees to explore the platform. Additionally, Summer partnered closely with our verification staff to guide employees who needed assistance with Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) requests. These combined efforts helped drive strong engagement.

ACS employees do very demanding, mission-driven work for the city. How has Summer fit into the way your agency thinks about employee wellbeing and taking care of your people?

Employee wellbeing is essential to employee retention and overall success. At ACS, we prioritize programs that support our staff holistically. Summer has become a valuable resource by helping employees pursue student loan relief, which can reduce financial stress and empower them to take control of their financial futures.

ACS Employees report a 97% satisfaction rate with the program. Have you heard specific stories from ACS employees about how Summer has made a difference for them?

Yes, we’ve received positive feedback. One employee shared how easy it was to get started with Summer and noted that they preferred the streamlined digital application over the previous paper-based PSLF process.

What would you say to employees at other city agencies, or even ACS staff who haven't yet tried Summer, about why they should check it out?

We strongly encourage all city employees with student loans to log into Summer as soon as possible to explore their options. The platform is easy to use, and there are multiple relief programs available. Getting started is simple, just sign in with your agency email address.

For agencies that are just getting started, what's one piece of advice you'd give to help build real momentum around Summer among staff?

Consistent and widespread communication is key. Share information frequently through emails, flyers, and internal platforms. Make use of the materials Summer provides, such as brochures and FAQs. Engage wellness ambassadors to spread awareness, and actively promote any informational sessions hosted by Summer to maximize employee participation.

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NYC agencies: Want to help make a real difference within your agency? Follow this checklist to spread the word among your employees:

• Encourage employees to join Summer’s virtual info sessions
• Invite Summer to present at your next team-wide meeting
• Share key information with employees to keep them in the loop – Summer can provide materials you can copy and paste!
• Share the link: Employees at NYC agencies can sign up at meetsummer.com/nyc

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NYC residents: All New York City residents get free access to Summer's platform to save on student loans and plan for future college costs. Sign up today at summer.nyc.