Education Loan Finance $50,000 Video Contest Winner

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Nov 01, 2018, 11:08 ET

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Education Loan Finance (ELFI), a division of SouthEast Bank, asked those with student loan debt to share how life could be altered without their debt. Received were videos sharing dreams and aspirations of continuing education, providing for their children to travel around the world, and more. The $50,000 prize was awarded to Simon Rivera of Richmond, Virginia. Chosen out of hundreds of contestants of the #EmpoweredByELFI contest. Rivera stood apart as he presented a captivating video in which he could pay off his student loan debt.

Watch as Education Loan Finance surprises the Empowering a Brighter Future contest winner and his family. Education Loan Finance believes in empowering those with student loan debt by offering student loan refinancing. Learn more about Education Loan Finance's mission at https://elfi.com/about/

A video compilation of entrants and the presentation of the $50,000 check can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O_5UB8WON8

Rivera works as a physician assistant at a community urgent care facility. "I wanted to make a positive impact in my community and healthcare is one of the most important and impactful ways to do so. I take a great deal of pride and satisfaction in caring for each of my patients as though they were my own family," said Rivera. Simon's winning video can be found here – https://www.elfi.com/empowering-a-brighter-future-video-contest-winner/

Simon was in the U.S Air Force Reserves for six years before receiving multiple degrees. He is father to two young sons, and the prize money is enough to eliminate his student loan debt. He and his wife hope to put the remaining amount towards their goal of allowing his wife the ability to re-enroll in school to complete her education.

"We are excited to be able to award this prize to Simon. His video was a great representation of how refinancing student loan debt can help individuals in moving forward with their dreams for themselves and their family. We know that student loan debt can be challenging and our $50,000 cash prize is proof of how committed we are to helping someone take the next step in their future," said Barbara Thomas, SouthEast Bank's Executive Vice President and Head of the Education Loan Finance Division.

According to the Brookings Institute, more than 44 million Americans have student loans that total nearly $1.4 trillion. Student loan debt is now the second-largest source of household debt in the U.S. after home mortgages.

"We truly believe in Empowering A Brighter Future through refinancing student loans and have helped more than 4,800 borrowers throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico to date. We save our customers, on average, hundreds of a dollars a month and thousands over the life of the loan. So many graduates are overwhelmed with student loan debt, and this contest was an exciting way to get folks thinking about what they could accomplish without student loan debt. We very proud to be able to offer student loan borrowers a chance to empower a brighter future," said Thomas.

Follow us on our social platforms: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/educationloanfinance/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educationloanfinance/ and Twitter: https://twitter.com/elfi
Social Media Hashtag: #EmpoweredByELFI

About Education Loan Finance

Education Loan Finance, a division of SouthEast Bank, is a leading online lender designed to assist borrowers by consolidating and refinancing private and federal student loans into one simple, low-cost loan. Education Loan Finance believes that providing consumers comprehensive refinancing and consolidation options empowers the consumers on their financial journey. To learn more, visit www.elfi.com or follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/EducationLoanFinance .

About SouthEast Bank

Headquartered in Farragut, Tennessee, SouthEast Bank operates branches throughout East and Middle Tennessee, blending modern amenities with hometown service and decision-making. Our customers enjoy free access to convenient electronic and mobile platforms such as online banking, remote deposit, automatic fraud monitoring, and a worldwide ATM network. In the last decade, SouthEast Bank, along with its holding company, has donated over $20 million to support secondary and post-secondary education in our local communities and universities throughout the state of Tennessee. To learn more about SouthEast Bank, please visit www.SouthEastBank.com or follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YourSouthEastBank. Member FDIC.

Contact Information:
Heather B. Price
(865) 824-3350
[email protected]

SOURCE Education Loan Finance