Tax refunds in august: This Friday, a lot of people in Connecticut who have student loans can start applying again for a special program that helps pay off their debt. The plan can give up to $20,000 over four years, and it’s all run by the state’s Office of Higher Education. The idea is not just to take some stress off people’s backs, but also to keep talented workers in Connecticut. The program started before and already helped more than 500 people, giving out around $1.5 million.
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How the program works?
The program pays up to $5,000 a year, with the highest total you can get being $20,000 over four years. Applications open this Friday and will be taken until December 2025, or until the $8 million budget runs out. It’s first-come first-served, so people have to be quick. Student debt is a big problem in Connecticut, stopping a lot of folks from buying homes, saving for retirement, or getting ahead financially.
Who can apply now?
Lawmakers in the state made some big changes for 2025 to open the doors wider. The program now accepts more kinds of education backgrounds and even counts volunteer work toward eligibility. People affected by the closing of Stone Academy can now apply too, as long as they didn’t get a refund or join the school’s official teachout plan.
These changes make the program more fair and give more people a chance to get help. State leaders say this is about reaching hardworking residents who really need relief and making the whole process easier.
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Eligibility Requirements
- Residency: Must have lived in Connecticut for five consecutive years.
- Education: Must have attended a Connecticut college or earned a professional license from an accredited in-state program.
- Volunteer Service: Must complete at least 50 hours of community volunteer work.
- Additional qualifying factors apply, including adjustments for Stone Academy students and broader volunteer definitions
- Application Process: Interested applicants must register and submit their materials via the CT Scholars portal starting this Friday. Documentation needed includes proof of residency, college licenses or diplomas, volunteer service records, and student loan statements.
