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Employee Discounts and Incentives

Incentives

Colby offers a range of programs meant to reward, support, or reduce costs for our employees beyond standard benefits. These include the Happy Days Childcare Center at Colby, Employee Referral bonuses, Student-Loan Forgiveness tools, library access, and more. These incentives are part of how we aim to make working here more sustainable and supportive for all staff and faculty.

Happy Days Childcare and Learning Center at Colby was established on September 1, 2021, through a collaboration with Jennifer Stevens and Rae Ann Lajoie of Winslow’s Happy Days Childcare and Learning Center. The center serves up to thirty-eight children ages six weeks to five years old and is located in the Millet House on the edge of Colby’s campus.

Happy Days Childcare and Learning Center at Colby is a licensed childcare center that is separate from the College. Colby staff and faculty are eligible to seek enrollment in the center. Being affiliated with the College does not guarantee enrollment. Enrollment at the center is a College employment benefit. If a faculty or staff member is no longer employed by Colby College, access to childcare at the center will end.

To inquire about availability, please complete the following Application for Enrollment Form and submit it to [email protected]. The center will contact you in the event that they are able to accommodate you.

Please contact Director, Jennifer Stevens, at: [email protected] to learn more.

Tuition

  • Effective August 1, 2024, $265 per week per child

Contact Information

Additional Child Care Resources

Attracting and hiring staff to Colby is key to our success. In the current hiring environment, and with numerous vacancies in key areas, we are developing new strategies for recruiting excellent candidates. We know our employees, both faculty and staff, have relationships through their personal and professional networks that can serve as important sources of talent to fill our current and future staffing needs. The Employee Referral Program provides an opportunity for Colby employees to receive monetary rewards for identifying and directing this talent to the College. Both the individual and the College benefit when qualified staff referred by our employees are hired to fill our needs.

Program Details

The Employee Referral Program provides a $1000 cash incentive, subject to applicable taxes, to faculty and staff for successfully referring qualified candidates who are hired into open staff positions. Faculty positions are exempt from this referral program. However, faculty are eligible to participate in this program when referring potential candidates to fill open staff positions.

The incentive amount will be reviewed on an annual basis and as needed throughout the year. Additionally, special employee referral campaigns may be implemented throughout the year to address highly critical areas of need. Human Resources will make final decisions regarding approval of referral bonuses.

Eligibility

All Colby employees, except as noted in the Ineligibility section below, are eligible to participate in this program. To be eligible for the referral payment, the referring individual must be on active payroll at the time of the referral’s start date. The referral bonus will be paid in the first available pay cycle following the referral’s successful completion of 90 days of employment with Colby.

Effective July 1, 2026, all referrals submitted on or after this date will be eligible for referral bonuses after the referred employee completes six (6) months of employment with Colby.

Both the current and new employees must be active and in good standing to receive the payment. Colby employees may refer alumni to open staff positions if the alumna/alumnus has not been on Colby’s active payroll or worked for Colby as a temporary or contractor within the prior 3-month period. There are no limits on the number of referral payments an employee is eligible to receive. If more than one employee refers the same candidate, the person who submitted the referral first will receive the referral bonus.

Ineligibility

The following individuals and/or positions are ineligible for participation in this program:

  • Contractors, temporary and student employees are not eligible for the referral program.
  • Student employment and summer positions are not covered under this program.
  • Hiring managers assigned to the open position to which a candidate has been referred are not eligible for a referral bonus for that position.
  • Faculty positions are not eligible given the processes and protocols in place to fill these openings.
  • Vice Presidents, the Provost, the Dean of the College, and anyone otherwise designated a member of the President’s senior staff team are not eligible for the referral program.
  • Human Resources department employees are not eligible for the referral program.

Process

When referring people, it is important to be familiar with the requirements of the role for which they are being referred. Open positions can be found on the Colby Human Resources website, under Administrative Employment. Referrals should be made by completing and submitting this electronic Referral Form.

Employees have access to a state-of-the-art fitness center, including cardio and weight machines, indoor and outdoor tracks, swimming pool, tennis courts, gymnasium, ice rink, outdoor trails, and more. In addition, a variety of fitness classes are available. You must show a valid Colby ID.

Employees have full use of Colby’s library system, including the withdrawal of books, videos, DVDs, and CDs, and use of research facilities. You must show a valid Colby ID.

Colby College and TIAA have teamed up with Savi, a social impact company founded by long-term student loan experts and advocates that can help reduce monthly student loan payments through federal loan forgiveness. Employees and family members now have access to a robust solution that helps to find the best federal repayment and forgiveness programs for your financial situation.

The Savi tool can help strengthen your financial footing in the short term, but it also positions you for student loan forgiveness.

  • Caps your payment based on your income and family size
  • Frees up funds to direct towards other financial goals
  • Removes the complexities of forgiveness and puts the process on autopilot

To see how easy it is to use Savi, how it works to reduce your montly payment, and how to get started–attend a 30-minute webinar.

Who is Eligible?

The PSLF program requirements are summarized below. Eligibility is based on these and several other factors, including income, debt amount, number of dependents and other personal information. Even if your income is high, you may still be eligible. In less than 20 minutes, Savi can help determine your eligibility and assist in the enrollment process.

Employment in public service

You must work full time for a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, government organization or another select not-for-profit for each month you hope to count towards your 120 qualifying payments (Colby qualifies).

Loans through the federal Direct Loan Program

You must have a federal student loan issued through the Direct Loan Program of the U.S. Department of Education. You may also qualify if you consolidate your federal student loans to a Direct Loan.

Enrollment in an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan

You must enroll in an IDR, which bases your payment on your income, debt amount, dependents and other criteria.

10 years of monthly payments

You have to make 120 on-time monthly payments in the IDR, though not necessarily consecutive or with the same employer. Payments before you switched to an IDR may also count toward forgiveness.

For additional information, check out the Savi Quick Start Guide.

Getting Started

First, you will need to provide your income and monthly payment to see your estimated savings instantly. From there, you can finish the online application and enroll. Be sure to have these items handy:

  • Social Security number
  • Most recent tax return or tax transcript
  • Student loan information

There are two options for providing student loan specifics

  1. Provide your login information for your student loan servicer (e.g., Navient, Nelnet, Great Lakes, etc.). This will allow Savi’s calculator to use the most up-to-date information.Note: the calculator meets TIAA’s high security standards to keep your information safe but it also streamlines things for you.
  2. Or you can simply enter the information.

To calculate your savings, visit TIAA.org/colby/student.

Discounts

Colby staff and faculty can take advantage of reduced-rates and special pricing at local businesses and partner organizations. From home heating fuel and UPS shipping, to gym memberships, veterinary services, and cellular plans, these offers help stretch your dollars on everyday services and essentials. Many require showing your Colby ID or registering through a partner program—see the full list below for how to qualify and use each discount.

Provides a $12,000 annual scholarship to admitted children of Colby employees. For more information, contact Kents Hill School at 207-685-4914 or at the website: kentshill.org.

Colby employees can access discounted pet insurance through Pet Benefit Solutions. This coverage helps reduce out-of-pocket costs for routine check-ups, unexpected accidents, and veterinary visits.

Enrolling through the corporate program provides savings of 10–15% or more compared to individual plans. Coverage start dates vary based on when you enroll, with some plans beginning as early as October 1, 2025.

To sign up for the discount, or to find information and answers to questions, please visit the Pet Benefit Solutions portal.

15% off membership with your Colby ID. Adult classes are free with membership.

Fabian Oil offers Colby’s faculty and staff exclusive discounted pricing on home heating fuels, including #2 heating oil, propane, and kerosene. Because fuel prices fluctuate daily, please contact Fabian Oil directly to receive Colby’s current discounted rate. 

To learn more or to get started, contact: Betsy Curtis Phone: 207-465-5129 / Email: [email protected]

POC: Stephanie LeBlanc

Card is free and offers a variety of discounts at chamber member businesses. A list of current discounts can be found here. Cards are available at the Human Resources Office.

15-percent discount on all veterinary services to Colby employees and students. New England Animal Hospital is located at 2 Pleasant Street, Waterville, 207-873-4668. Must show Colby ID. Click here for more information.

POC: Stephanie LeBlanc

Show your Colby ID at Tire Warehouse in Waterville and get 20% off labor costs—parts and tires not included. Offer valid exclusively at this location.

POC: Stephanie LeBlanc

Must set up personal username and enter personal credit card information for payment. Ship personal packages and save up to 50 percent off UPS shipping charges.

POC: Stephanie LeBlanc

12-percent discount on personal cellular service. Click here and scroll to Discounts for Corporate Partner Employees to learn how to register for the employee discount or to validate your employment if you are already enrolled in the program.

POC: Stephanie LeBlanc

Colby College offers a rich and varied benefits package designed to support the whole person —professionally, personally, and as a member of a vibrant campus community.

From wellness and family resources to educational opportunities, cultural access, and meaningful perks, the value of being part of Colby extends well beyond the workplace. We are proud to foster an environment where employees and their families can grow, connect, and thrive together. Please explore our Beyond Benefits brochure.