​When can you apply for the CT student loan repayment program in 2025? Date and eligibility 

28/12/2024
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09:59
CSTStarting January 1, 2025, Connecticut residents can apply for the state’s new Student Loan Reimbursement Program, offering up to $5,000 annually to help tackle student loan debt. Applications will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis, so eligible individuals should act quickly to secure a share of the program’s $6 million funding.To qualify, applicants must meet several criteria:Residency: Be a current Connecticut resident for at least five consecutive years.Loan Status: Have outstanding student loan debt and have made payments on qualifying loans in 2024. This includes federal direct loans, federal PLUS loans, Perkins loans, and certain state-sponsored or private loans.Education: Hold a degree from a Connecticut-based institution or possess a professional license, certificate, or a hardship waiver due to personal or financial circumstances.Income Cap: An adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less (for single filers) or $175,000 or less (for married filers) in 2023.Volunteer Work: Complete at least 50 hours of volunteer service with an approved Connecticut nonprofit, military, or municipal organization during 2024. Proof of this service must be notarized and submitted during the application process.According to Michael Criscuolo from the Connecticut Office of Higher Education, the program aims to ease the burden of the state’s $18 billion in collective student loan debt. “People think that it’s a great program,” Criscuolo shared, adding, “We’re anticipating hundreds of thousands of applications.”Reimbursement amounts are based on what you paid toward your loans in 2024. For instance, if you paid $100 monthly, you could receive $1,200 in relief. The maximum reimbursement is $5,000 annually, with a lifetime cap of $20,000 over four years, contingent on continued program funding.Applications open January 1, 2025, through the CT SCHOLARS portal. Create an account, complete the application, and upload required documentation, including proof of payments and volunteer service. Once the funds are exhausted, the program closes for the year.If you meet the criteria, this program could provide substantial relief. As Noele Kidney, spokesperson for the Office of Higher Education, explained, “Any time people can alleviate debt from student loans is helpful.”