Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Debt Relief topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves $300,000 extension for Savvy student-debt assistance after split vote
Summary
The committee approved a $300,000 funding appropriation to extend Savvy Solutions' contract for performance milestones 2 and 3 after staff reported about 6,000 registered users since December 2025; one commissioner opposed further spending of taxpayer funds.
County staff asked the committee to approve a $300,000 appropriation to fund Milestones 2 and 3 of its student-debt relief contract with Savvy Solutions Public Benefit Corporation to sustain operations into fiscal 2026–27. Kayla Carvalho, Savvy's director of partnerships, said the company has signed up roughly 6,000 registered users in Oakland County since December 2025 and has provided one-on-one support as federal repayment rules changed.
Commissioner Hock objected, saying: "We've already spent a $500,000 of taxpayer money. Now we're being asked to spend another $300,000 taxpayer money. I don't think that's the role of Oakland County government." Savvy's Carvalho responded that the contract funds the service (not direct cash transfers to borrowers), provides education and one-on-one support to reduce application denials, and that many users benefit from the guidance even if they do not receive direct loan forgiveness. The motion passed 4–2.
