Black Hills Works recognizes that educational advancement is a cornerstone of professional development and career growth. As part of our comprehensive benefits package and commitment to investing in employees, we offer two significant educational support programs: tuition reimbursement and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). These programs work together to remove financial barriers that might otherwise prevent talented individuals from pursuing careers in human services while continuing their education.
Tuition Reimbursement: Investing in Your Growth
We provide tuition reimbursement as a benefit designed to support employees who wish to enhance their skills, pursue additional credentials, or advance their education while working. This benefit reflects our philosophy that “we provide the opportunity to invest in yourself to enhance your skills as an employee so you can grow in your career.”
The tuition reimbursement program allows employees to pursue educational opportunities that align with their career goals within Black Hills Works or the broader human services field. Whether an employee wants to complete a degree, earn professional certifications, pursue specialized training, or develop new competencies, we financially support these educational endeavors.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness: A Federal Benefit with Local Impact
In addition to providing direct tuition reimbursement, we offer employees access to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program—a federal initiative that can have transformative financial impact for those carrying student loan debt from previous education.
Black Hills Works qualifies as an eligible employer under the PSLF program because it operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
The PSLF program allows borrowers who work full-time for qualifying nonprofit and government employers to have their outstanding federal student loan debt forgiven tax-free after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan. This typically translates to ten years of service in public service employment.
For employees of Black Hills Works, this means that every month worked at the organization while making qualifying student loan payments counts toward eventual loan forgiveness. This benefit applies regardless of position—whether you work as a Direct Support Professional, case manager, nurse, supervisor, or in any other role at the organization—as long as you meet the federal program requirements.