AN ACT CONCERNING THE STUDENT LOAN REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM.

Added specific eligibility criteria including income thresholds ($25,000 for unmarried individuals, $175,000 for heads of household/joint filers), residency requirements (5+ years in Connecticut), and educational qualifications (public/independent institution graduates with associate or bachelor's degrees).

Modified volunteer hour requirements to include unpaid student work hours for certificate/degree programs, expanded eligible organizations to include 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations and armed forces, and added requirement for nonprofit organizations to provide IRS 501(c)(3) certification.

Added requirement for participants to submit IRS certification from nonprofit organizations to verify 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status annually.

Changed effective date from passage to July 1, 2025, and added specific implementation deadlines for establishing programs and posting information on the Office of Higher Education website.

Modified hardship waiver procedures to establish automatic waivers for certain participants and require posting of waiver qualifications and forms on the Office of Higher Education website by January 1, 2026.

Added specific volunteer hour documentation requirements, including notarized forms signed by supervisors or commanding officers for military service.

Introduced annual submission requirements for loan statements and volunteer hour documentation to the Office of Higher Education.

Established specific funding limits of up to $5,000 annually with a maximum of $20,000 aggregate reimbursement over four years.

Expanded volunteer hour definitions to include military service and board service for nonprofit organizations alongside traditional volunteering.

Added requirements for organizations to be registered with the Department of Consumer Protection or municipal government.