Joe Cline, who plans to graduate with his associate’s degree in December, has recently returned to UA Little Rock after taking a year off to earn money to pay for his college education. Having to pay back student loans has always been a concern for him. 

However, he recently learned about a nationwide contest that could help with his loans.

“Over time, they were beginning to build up, and that’s why I ended up taking that year gap,” Cline said. “I didn’t want to go into that much debt with student loans.”

Natural Light has committed to giving away $10 million over the next 10 years to help students in the U.S. pay down their loan debt. This year, Natural Light will give away more than $1 million to 70 individuals to help with debt.

Little Rock is one of five cities across America that Natural Light is highlighting by airing a 60-second Super Bowl ad. Little Rock and the other cities (Columbia, South Carolina; Jackson, Mississippi; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Richmond, Virginia) have some of the highest student loan debt in America.

According to a 2018 Forbes article, Little Rock is among the top 10 cities in America hit hardest by student loan debt. The median student loan balance is $21,031, while over a quarter of borrowers owe more than $50,000, and 7.6 percent owe more than $100,000.

Students who wish to enter should post a video to social media before May 18 stating their inspiration for going to college. The video should include the green dollar-sign tab found on limited edition cans and use the hashtags #NattyStories and #Contest.

Additionally, Natural Light is partnering with Cash App to give those with student loan debt another reason to celebrate Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3. Natural Light will give away $53,001 to 151 winners who will each receive $351, the average monthly student loan payment according to Student Loan Hero. Those who are 21 and over can share their Super Bowl party plans on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook through the end of the Super Bowl and add #NattySB, #Sweepstakes, and their Cash App username (or “$Cashtag”) to their post to qualify.

“Imagine if these people can take that $300 a month and just have it to use for anything else but student loans,” Cline said. “That would change a lot of people’s perspectives, change a lot of people’s lives.”

Cline, who “absolutely will” enter the contest, also has a message for the contest sponsors.

“I hope I win, so if you’re watching this, people from the company, please, I want to win this contest,” he said.