Vodka Company Offers Prize to Help Repay Student Loans
The Chicago-based startup SINTAX awards winners up to $1,000 to apply toward their outstanding student loan balances.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Financial Aid
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Founded in 2024, the Chicago-based vodka brand SINTAX uses 15% of its sales to fund student loan repayments for selected customers. The company provides these payments to help consumers manage their debt.
Why it matters
The brand was established by founders who sought to address their own experiences with student debt while providing an alternative to celebrity-backed alcohol products. This initiative aims to assist borrowers through a prize model.
SINTAX allocates 15% of its total sales to a student loan assistance fund, offering winners up to $1,000 toward their debt. The program is funded by the company's vodka production and distribution, which recently moved to Chicago from its original site in Olathe, Kansas.
The players
SINTAX
A Chicago-based vodka producer that allocates a portion of its sales proceeds to a student loan assistance fund.
Mary Hanahan
A co-founder of the brand who completed her undergraduate degree at Loyola in 2015 and began law school in 2018.
The details
The brand operates through personal savings and limited marketing budgets, focusing on grassroots tastings at independent bars and liquor stores. When a winner is selected, the company applies the $1,000 prize toward the individual's student loan balance. This process functions as a direct assistance program rather than a formal debt-repayment plan or institutional financial aid.
Timeline
2015: Mary Hanahan graduated from Loyola.
2018: Mary Hanahan began law school.
2024: The founders established SINTAX in Chicago.
Education Landscape
As student debt remains a central concern for young adults, various niche businesses are attempting to integrate debt relief into their social impact models. This approach reflects a broader effort to address the financial burden of higher education through non-traditional, consumer-facing mechanisms.
Borrowers looking for assistance should note that this program functions as a private prize and is not part of any federal or state loan forgiveness system. If you have questions about your specific loan terms or repayment requirements, always consult your official loan servicer.
The takeaway
While debt-assistance programs from private companies can provide one-time relief, they do not replace federal repayment programs or official forgiveness tracks. Always maintain your focus on standard repayment plans managed by your official loan servicer to keep your account in good standing.
Further reading
For more on navigating debt repayment options, visit Financial Aid.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Loyola Phoenix.
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