In the quest to bring highly-trained personnel into government, education debt is an increasingly formidable obstacle. Eight out of 10 students describe loan repayment programs as an effective recruitment tool. The increasing size of education debt is a threat to the ability of the federal government to recruit and retain top talent. Improving the federal student loan repayment program is one important way Congress and the Administration can help ensure that public service remains a viable career option for the most talented employees.