Connecticut Student Loan Forgiveness Programs
Connecticut offers one of the few student loan repayment assistance programs open to borrowers in any job. The Student Loan Reimbursement Program pays back up to $5,000 a year of what you paid your servicer, as long as you meet the income cap and log volunteer hours. The state's health care loan repayment program has stopped taking new applications, so doctors, nurses, counselors, and anyone who misses the reimbursement cutoff should start with federal forgiveness programs.
Connecticut Programs At A Glance
| Program | Who Qualifies | Maximum Award | Service Required | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Student Loan Reimbursement Program | Residents with a Connecticut degree or license, under the income cap | $5,000/year, up to $20,000 over 4 years | Community service hours (hardship waiver available) | Open |
| Connecticut State Loan Repayment Program (CT SLRP) | Primary care, dental, behavioral health, and nursing providers | $50,000 for 2 years full time; $25,000 part time | 2 years at an eligible site in an underserved area | Paused |
| Minority Teacher Incentive Program | Minority juniors and seniors in Connecticut teacher preparation programs | $5,000/year grant for 2 years, plus $2,500/year in loan reimbursement for up to 4 years | Teach in a Connecticut public school | Annual Cycle |
Programs That Help Repay Loans You Already Have
Connecticut borrowers carry roughly $35,000 in federal student debt on average, according to our Connecticut student loans and financial aid breakdown. The reimbursement program pays back part of what you've already paid on that debt, while the health care program is on hold. Compare both against Public Service Loan Forgiveness, since many Connecticut employers qualify.
Connecticut Student Loan Reimbursement Program
The Office of Higher Education (OHE) reimburses up to $5,000 a year, with a $20,000 cap over four years, for student loan payments residents made during the prior calendar year (Office of the Governor). The current round covers payments made in 2025, and the state had paid out more than $2.2 million in reimbursements between the January 2025 launch and February 2026. Unlike most state programs, it isn't tied to a job, which makes it a useful add-on to student loan forgiveness programs you're already pursuing.
The legislature expanded eligibility during its 2025 session, and OHE reopened applications in August 2025 (CT Mirror). Applications are reviewed first come, first served through December 2026 or until funds run out (Connecticut House Democrats). Borrowers on RAP or another repayment plan can still apply, since the program reimburses payments you've already made.
| Administered by | Connecticut Office of Higher Education |
| Who qualifies | Connecticut residents who meet the program's residency rule (OHE lists at least five consecutive years), earned a degree from a Connecticut college or completed a state-approved licensure or certification program, and made student loan payments in 2025 (OHE aid programs) |
| Income limits | Adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less for single filers and $175,000 or less for married filers |
| Service | OHE lists 50 hours of volunteer work; applicants can qualify for a hardship waiver in certain circumstances |
| Award | Up to $5,000 a year, capped at $20,000 over four years |
| Eligible loans | United Way of Connecticut's 211 listing names federal Direct, Direct PLUS, and Perkins loans, CHESLA loans, and other state-sponsored student loans (211 Connecticut); OHE's current FAQ holds the official list |
| Status | Accepting applications for 2025 payments through December 2026 or until funds are exhausted |
| Official source | OHE homepage and SLRP documents |
Connecticut State Loan Repayment Program (CT SLRP)
The Department of Public Health (DPH) runs this program with UConn's Area Health Education Center, paying $25,000 a year for two years of full-time direct patient care, or $12,500 a year for part-time service (Connecticut DPH). It covers both public and private student loans, which few state programs do. The program's site says it isn't accepting new applications (CT SLRP), so health care workers should check our roundup of student loan forgiveness for nurses and other providers for open options.
| Administered by | Connecticut DPH with the UConn Area Health Education Center |
| Who qualifies | MDs and DOs, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, psychiatric nurse specialists, physician assistants, dentists, dental hygienists, psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, and registered nurses |
| Award | $50,000 over two years full time, or $25,000 over two years part time |
| Eligible loans | Public and private student loans |
| Commitment | Two years of direct patient care at sites such as federally qualified health centers, correctional facilities, and state or county mental hospitals in shortage areas |
| Funding | American Rescue Plan dollars and a HRSA cooperative award (CT SLRP) |
| Status | Not accepting new applications; DPH's last application cycle closed June 30, 2024 |
| Official source | Connecticut DPH program page |
Service-Based Funding For Students In Training
This program pays future teachers while they're still in school and then reimburses loan payments once they're teaching. It's the only Connecticut program built for teachers, so pair it with our list of student loan forgiveness options for teachers.
Minority Teacher Incentive Program
OHE gives minority juniors and seniors in Connecticut teacher preparation programs up to $5,000 a year for two years, then pays $2,500 a year in loan reimbursement for up to four years of teaching in a Connecticut public school (OHE aid programs). Graduate students who received the grant as undergraduates and candidates in alternate certification routes can also qualify under state law (CGS 10a-168a). Teachers who also work in a low-income school should look at federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness on top of this award.
| Administered by | Connecticut Office of Higher Education |
| Who qualifies | Minority students in their junior or senior year of a Connecticut teacher preparation program, nominated by their education dean |
| Award | Up to $5,000 a year for two years while in school, plus $2,500 a year in loan reimbursement for up to four years of teaching |
| Service | Teach in a Connecticut public school to receive the loan reimbursement |
| Deadlines | Dean nominations due October 15 |
| Official source | OHE aid programs |
Federal Forgiveness Options For Connecticut Borrowers
Federal programs reach far more Connecticut borrowers than the three state programs, and each one runs on its own rules for combining with a state award. Our full list of forgiveness programs covers every federal option.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Borrowers who make 120 qualifying payments while working full time for a government agency or qualifying nonprofit get their remaining Direct Loan balance forgiven tax-free (StudentAid.gov). Connecticut public school teachers, state and municipal employees, and UConn and state university staff all work for qualifying employers, and our PSLF breakdown covers the 2026 employer rule litigation.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness. Teachers with five consecutive years at a low-income school can receive up to $17,500 if they teach secondary math, science, or special education, or up to $5,000 in other subjects (StudentAid.gov). The same years can't count toward both Teacher Loan Forgiveness and PSLF, which our teacher forgiveness breakdown walks through.
Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) and IBR. RAP launched July 1, 2026, and forgives any remaining balance after 360 qualifying payments (How RAP Works). Borrowers deciding between plans can run the numbers in our RAP vs. IBR comparison.
Health care programs. With the state's own program closed to new applicants, the National Health Service Corps is the main option for Connecticut providers, paying up to $75,000 for a two-year full-time primary care commitment plus a $5,000 Spanish-language bonus (HRSA). Nurse Corps pays 60% of nursing debt for two years of service and another 25% for a third year (HRSA), and the STAR program pays up to $250,000 for six years in substance use disorder treatment (HRSA). Our nursing and health care forgiveness roundup covers eligibility for each.
Veterinarians. Connecticut has no state veterinary loan repayment program, but the USDA Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program pays up to $25,000 a year for service in designated shortage areas (USDA NIFA). Vets carrying private loans should also check our list of private student loan forgiveness options.
Is Student Loan Forgiveness Taxed In Connecticut?
Connecticut bases its income tax on federal adjusted gross income and automatically adopts federal changes, so it follows federal treatment of student loan forgiveness (The College Investor). PSLF, Teacher Loan Forgiveness, and death and disability discharges stay tax-free at both levels.
Forgiveness under income-driven plans became federally taxable again on January 1, 2026, when the American Rescue Plan exclusion expired, and Connecticut follows that treatment (Taxes And Student Loan Forgiveness). Borrowers expecting IBR or RAP forgiveness can estimate the bill with our student loan tax bomb calculator.
Ask OHE or DPH whether your Connecticut award will be reported as income, and read our explainer on the 1099-C and student loan forgiveness before filing.
If Your Job Isn't Covered
Borrowers who miss the reimbursement program's income or volunteer rules still have three options. Employers can pay up to $5,250 a year toward your student loans tax-free, and our list of companies that offer student loan repayment assistance shows who offers it.
Borrowers with private loans or high-rate federal loans they don't plan to have forgiven can lower their rate through student loan refinancing. Refinancing federal loans into a private loan ends eligibility for PSLF, RAP, and IBR, so don't refinance a balance you expect to have forgiven.
Families with leftover 529 money can put up to $10,000 per beneficiary toward student loans, which our 529 plan for student loan repayment explainer covers. Connecticut savers should also review the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Connecticut Have A Student Loan Forgiveness Program?
Connecticut offers student loan repayment assistance programs rather than broad loan forgiveness. Its Student Loan Reimbursement Program pays back up to $20,000 of loan payments over four years for residents who qualify. Borrowers who don't qualify rely on federal programs like PSLF and income-driven plan forgiveness.
Who Qualifies For The Connecticut Student Loan Reimbursement Program?
Residents who earned a Connecticut degree or state-approved license, made loan payments in 2025, stay under the $125,000 single or $175,000 married income limit, and complete community service can apply (Office of the Governor). The reimbursement comes after you pay, so keep making payments under your current repayment plan.
Can Connecticut Doctors And Nurses Get Help Repaying Student Loans?
The state's CT SLRP paid up to $50,000 for two years of service, but it isn't accepting new applications (CT SLRP). Providers should apply to federal NHSC and Nurse Corps programs instead, covered in our nursing forgiveness roundup.
Does Connecticut Help Teachers With Student Loans?
Minority teacher candidates can get up to $10,000 in grants plus up to $10,000 in loan reimbursement through the Minority Teacher Incentive Program (OHE). Any Connecticut teacher can also apply for the reimbursement program and pursue the federal options in our teacher forgiveness breakdown.
Is Student Loan Forgiveness Taxable In Connecticut?
Connecticut follows federal treatment, so PSLF and Teacher Loan Forgiveness are tax-free while income-driven plan forgiveness granted after 2025 is taxable (The College Investor). Use our tax bomb calculator to estimate what you'd owe.
Related Connecticut Resources
How We Sourced This Data
Program details on this page come from the administering agencies and state law: the Connecticut Office of Higher Education, the Office of Governor Ned Lamont, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the UConn Area Health Education Center's CT SLRP site, Connecticut General Statutes Section 10a-168a, and Office of Legislative Research reports 2023-R-0106 and 2023-R-0185. Federal program details come from StudentAid.gov, HRSA, and USDA NIFA, and 2025 and 2026 changes were cross-checked against reporting from CT Mirror, Connecticut House Democrats member updates, and United Way of Connecticut's 211 listing. Read more about how we fact-check and update content.
Page refreshed annually in August, after Connecticut's legislative session and agency rule approvals, and reviewed in January for tax season. Last full refresh: September 23, 2026.
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Claire Tak