Some Connecticut state lawmakers are proposing legislation to establish a student loan reimbursement pilot program for certain essential workers.
To qualify, participants would need to meet several requirements, including being employed full time as a nurse, teacher, mental health worker or social services employee. The bill also would establish salary limits: $100,000 for someone who's not married or for married people filing separate income tax returns and $125,000 for someone who's married and filing jointly or as head of household.
Participants would also need to do nonprofit volunteer work.
This relief program would offer up to $5,000 a year for four years, legislators said.
Lawmakers gathered Monday at the state Capitol to promote the effort.
State Rep. Gary Turco, D-Newington, said the pilot program would give essential workers a reason to live, work, buy a home and raise families in Connecticut.
“This student loan debt relief program ... is going to provide that added incentive,“ he said. ”It’s going to attract people to these vital workforce fields and it’s going to help our entire economy.”
The bill is scheduled to be discussed Tuesday before the Appropriations Committee.
