MAPE members again lead MnDOT student loan reimbursements

For the third year in a row, MAPE members at the Department of Transportation (MnDOT) have dominated the student loan reimbursements awards process. 135 MnDOT employees applied for the student loan reimbursement program for FY2026 and 48 MAPE members received 36% of the awards.  

“The student loan reimbursement program demonstrates there is need from our members. It is great to partner with management where they made the commitment as one of the ways they can retain employees,” MnDOT Meet and Confer Chair Gabe Perkins said. Perkins also serves as Region 20 Negotiations Representative.  

Student loan assistance is a popular recruitment and retention tool and nearly half of all businesses were expected to offer it last year. Minnesota counties often use it as a retention and recruitment tool as well. 

“It’s an important program because it’s great for recruitment and retention of quality employees. Not only is the state competing against the private sector, but we’re also competing against other state agencies to recruit top talent, and this is one way we can do it,” MAPE Region 6 Negotiations Representative Jason Bonnett said. His department, the Public Utilities Commission, may have been the first to offer employee student loan assistance in 2021.   

MnDOT began its student loan reimbursement program in 2024. Between FY2024-FY2026, the agency distributed $1,029,066 in awards with more than one-third, $373,660, going to MAPE members.  

Student loan reimbursement has been part of MAPE’s agreement since the 2019-2021 contract and some members were able to participate in a pilot before then. The contract allows agencies to participate at their discretion and student loan payments shall not exceed $5,000 per year with up to $25,000 in total payments per member.