Substitute House Bill No. 6074 establishes a student loan reimbursement program under the Office of Higher Education, set to take effect on July 1, 2025. The bill repeals the existing Section 10a-19m and introduces new eligibility criteria, allowing participants who have graduated from a public or independent institution in Connecticut, hold a relevant occupational license, or were enrolled in a specific practical nurse education program at Stone Academy during a designated timeframe to qualify. Participants must also meet income requirements and have been Connecticut residents for at least five years. The bill includes provisions for hardship waivers and outlines the application process for potential participants.

Additionally, the bill requires participants to volunteer a minimum of fifty hours annually for qualifying organizations, including nonprofits and municipal governments, and allows for reimbursement of up to $5,000 annually for student loan payments, capped at $20,000 over four years. It broadens the types of eligible volunteer work and mandates the creation of hardship waivers for those unable to meet the volunteer hour requirement. The bill also ensures that unspent funds for the program will carry over into the next fiscal year, allowing for continued use. The Office of Higher Education is responsible for implementing these changes, which may incur significant costs based on the number of eligible participants.

Statutes affected:
HED Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 391:
APP Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 911: