Academic Financial Services (AFS) recently announced that it would establish their headquarters in the Tampa Bay area. AFS, a nationwide provider of federal student loan programs, currently employs 250 in their 26,000 square foot office in northern Hillsborough County.
As a result of bringing their headquarters to the area, AFS has plans to expand to a total of 500 employees over the next three years. AFS is now offering positions with salaries exceeding 115 percent of the state’s average annual wage, qualifying the company for Florida’s Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund program.
Also in the works are plans to construct a new 120,000 square foot building to house its operations, an investment of over $19 million in construction, renovation and other equipment.
“This decision will allow us to bring new, quality jobs to Florida,” said Wayne Morgan, AFS President and CEO. “These positions will help raise the bar in regards to compensation, which will have a positive impact on both the community and Florida’s strong economic climate whole. The incentives offered for the creation of the 250 new jobs we will bring to the area helps offset many of our expansion costs. The assistance provided to us by the Committee of One Hundred, Enterprise Florida, and state and local leaders has been invaluable; we could not have made the financials for this project work without their help.”
Founded in January 2002, Academic Financial Services, Inc. (AFS) is an education finance lender dedicated to helping students and parents alike meet all of their student loan needs. AFS guides parents and students through the financial aid process and provides clear insight into loan eligibility, federal loan features, interest rates, repayment options and borrower benefits.
