Connecticut will launch a five-year $6 billion program to help alleviate the burden of student loan debt.

The Office of High Education projects 100,000 borrowers are eligible to enroll when the program launches on Jan. 1, 2025.

"We today, may not seem like a lot, but we're putting Connecticut back on the right track and closing the cap on disparities," said Rep. Corey Paris, Stamford’s 145th District representative.

"Just like many students, I'm navigating the reality of student loans," said Aidon McCray, a sophomore at Southern Connecticut State University, "The truth is, I don't know how much I will owe when I graduate."

He is already feeling the stress of student loans, he, like many other college students, has taken large sums of loans out.

"How am I supposed to invest in myself? Buy a car, a house, thinking about getting into real estate. How am I supposed to invest in all these things when I have to deal with student loan debt," said McCray.

The program is aimed to help those just like McCray, once he graduates.

The Office of Higher Education may approve the participation of any person in the student loan reimbursement program who (PA 24-81):

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 Connecticut 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 made payments in 2024 toward federal direct loans, federal direct PLUS loans, federal Perkins loans, CHESLA loan or other state’s sponsored student loan, or a private student loan.

5. 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 Jan.1, 2024.