Student Loan Reimbursement Program Rolls Out in January

December 13, 2024


 
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Dear Neighbor,

Starting January 1, Connecticut college students will be able to benefit from a bill we passed to alleviate student loan debt. The reimbursement program, led by House Democrats and the first of its kind in the nation, provides up to $5,000/year for up to four years (up to $20,000) in loan forgiveness. Six million dollars has been allocated in the current budget cycle and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The Office of Higher Education (OHE) may approve the participation of any person in the student loan reimbursement program who meets the following requirements:

  1. Must have graduated from a Connecticut state public or private college or university with a bachelor’s or associate degree or have an occupational/professional license or certificate or left such college in good standing and was granted a hardship waiver by the Office of Higher Education.
  2. Must be a CT resident for at least five years.
  3. Must have a Connecticut adjusted gross income of not more than $125,000 for single applicants and file a federal tax return as unmarried or have a Connecticut adjusted gross income of not more than $175,000 for married applicants and file a federal tax return as head of household, married filing jointly or a surviving spouse.
  4. Must have an outstanding student loan balance and have made payments in 2024 toward federal direct loans, federal direct PLUS loans, federal Perkins loans, CHESLA loans, other state’s sponsored student loans, or a private student loan.

Must have volunteered for at least 50 hours at a Connecticut nonprofit organization that is registered with the Department of Consumer Protection, municipal government, served on the Board of Directors for a nonprofit organization, or has military service after January 1, 2024.

This program represents a true bipartisan effort and will have a direct impact not only on Connecticut’s economy but also on its workforce.
 
Questions should be directed to OHE.SLRP@CT.GOV. The application process opens on January 1. For more information or to apply in January, click HERE.
 
Wall Street Wonderland will be held this Saturday. Come down to River Street from 4:00 - 7:00 PM for an afternoon of fun - there will be performances by local artists, meet-and-greets with Santa Claus and the Grinch, and more!

Click here to learn more. 
 
The City of Norwalk will hold an immigration community meeting next Wednesday, December 18 at Norwalk City Hall. A panel comprised of Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, CT Attorney General William Tong, Superintendent of Norwalk Public Schools Dr. Alexandra Estrella, and other Norwalk based officials will hold a discussion about how we can protect the immigrants in our community. Please see the graphic below for more information. 
 
A date that never gets easier. So many lives were affected on this day in 2012, and many continue to struggle with the trauma that followed.
 
My thoughts are with the victims' families, the survivors of that horrible day, the responding law enforcement and the entire Newtown and Connecticut community. Though time has passed, you will never be forgotten.
Charlotte Bacon, 6
Daniel Barden, 7
Olivia Engel, 6
Josephine Gay, 7
Dylan Hockley, 6
Madeleine Hsu, 6
Catherine Hubbard, 6
Chase Kowalski, 7
Jesse Lewis, 6
Ana Márquez-Greene, 6
James Mattioli, 6
Grace McDonnell, 7
Emilie Parker, 6
Jack Pinto, 6
Noah Pozner, 6
Caroline Previdi, 6
Jessica Rekos, 6
Avielle Richman, 6
Benjamin Wheeler, 6
Allison Wyatt, 6
Rachel D'Avino, 29
Dawn Hochsprung, 47
Anne Marie Murphy, 52
Lauren Rousseau, 30
Mary Sherlach, 56
Victoria Leigh Soto, 27
 
A deadline for Access Health CT's (AHCT) Open Enrollment period is fast approaching. If you want your coverage to start January 1, 2025, you must enroll by on or before Sunday (or Sunday, December 15). If you enroll between December 16 and January 15, 2025, coverage will start on February 1, 2025.
 

Free help to sign up is available online, in person, and over the phone. Go to AccessHealthCT.com and click "Get Help" or call 1-855-805-4325.

For a list of enrollment fairs and to register, visit the Enrollment Events webpage. Information about enrollment locations and Navigator locations are also listed there. Customers can also get help from a certified broker or enrollment specialist in their community.

You can also chat live with a customer service representative by clicking the “Live Chat” icon on the website. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call a relay operator.

Connecticut has one of the best health insurance marketplaces in the country. Now is the time to make sure you and your family are covered for your healthcare needs!
 
If you have questions, or ever need any help please don't hesitate to call me at (800) 842-8267 or email me directly.

Sincerely,

Kadeem Roberts
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