Savi, a leader in student loan and education benefits, has acquired Fiducius, a provider of education benefits for employees. This acquisition, Savi’s first, aims to expand its national network of employers and channel partners, strengthening its capacity to support more employees through their education journey.
The acquisition occurs as the Department of Education continues to implement policy changes, which have led to confusion and financial challenges for student loan borrowers. Aaron Smith, co-founder of Savi, stated that the acquisition would advance the company’s mission, noting, “In the past few years, we have seen various policy changes to the college financing landscape, making it increasingly difficult for employers and employees to navigate. With the Fiducius team onboard, we’re confident we’ll be able to provide great education benefits to even more employers.”
Both Savi and Fiducius clients and users are expected to benefit from an expanded range of services and products, complemented by an enlarged customer support team. Both companies have a history of assisting employees in navigating the federal student loan system and identifying suitable repayment plans or forgiveness options.
Since its founding in 2011, Fiducius has guided student loan borrowers by offering employee benefits such as loan contributions, tuition reimbursement, retirement matching, parental college planning, and banking benefits. The company has served as a trusted resource, with one client, Lauren R. from Atlanta, reporting nearly $100,000 in debt forgiveness with Fiducius’s guidance. Fiducius has collaborated with organizations in the education and healthcare sectors and managed over $2 billion in student loan debt as of December 2025.
Tobin Van Ostern, co-founder of Savi, commented on the long-standing relationship, saying, “We’ve been fortunate to get to know the Fiducius team through our mutual work in employer benefits, and always thought they would be a great fit to join forces with.” He added, “For more than a decade, the Fiducius team has done an incredible job not only building trust with employees and clients, but also building a platform that has helped borrowers navigate financial decisions at different stages of their education journey. We are excited about the opportunity to grow together.”
Jim Zedella, Chief Executive Officer of Fiducius, noted, “We’ve always admired Savi for the value it brings to its partners and clients. Likewise, the Savi team brings a passion like no other to solving the student loan debt crisis while advancing higher education. The union of our organizations is so compelling for our team, partners, and valued clients. We’re beyond thrilled to be part of the Savi team to assist in driving its future growth.” Mr. Zedella will continue to serve as an advisor to Savi, and Fiducius employees will transition to Savi. martinwolf acted as the acquisition advisor to Fiducius.
Savi, established in 2017, leverages an AI-enabled platform and expert support to help individuals manage student loans and explore education options. The public benefit company has assisted borrowers in identifying over $5 billion in higher education savings across more than 10,000 employers and membership groups, including AARP, MetLife, NEA, and TIAA. Savi is backed by investors such as Nyca Partners and Emerson Collective.
