What if I told you that one day your employer might actually want to offer to help pay your student loans? Well, you would probably call me crazy, and I don't blame you. Employers don't really get anything out of paying their employee's student loans. It's one of those perks that is usually hard to come by when job-hunting. That may soon change.

A new bill was introduced to the House and Senate recently. It is called the “Employer Participation in Student Loan Assistance Act” (H.R. 3861), and it has bipartisan support. If this bill passes, it could mean your employer would have more of an incentive to pay some of your student loans, unlike right now, where it's more of hassle than a benefit to do so.

If an employer makes a payment on student loans right now, it is not tax-deductible for them, unlike other programs such as a 401(k). Also, employees have to pay taxes on those payment contributions. There really isn't much of an incentive for employers to offer this benefit; the only party it helps is the employee, and even then, they have to pay taxes on the contributions made. The H.R. 3861 bill would make that look different: student loan payments would be treated much more like a 401(k) when it comes to taxes, making it more beneficial to the employer and the employee to take part in this. Employers' contributions to student loan payments to their employees would be tax-deductible. Also, employees would not have to pay taxes on these contributions like they are required to do right now. It seems like a good deal for every party involved.

If the bill passes, it could have some positive outcomes. Recent grads would be less likely to drown in debt, and in turn, have more money to contribute to the economy as well as programs within the economy, such as a 401(k). It creates a way for the student debt crisis to be solved in a way that doesn't involve government stepping in and forgiving debt, but by free participation by companies. It promotes active participation in the workforce and commitment to one's company.

But don't take that from me. Do your research and decide your opinion on H.R. 3861. One way to get involved is to contact your Congressional representative and let them know what you think. After all, this bill will affect us college students, whether it's our debt that will be paid, or our company that will be paying it.