Southern Connecticut State University welcomed state leaders in November for a roundtable discussion about Connecticut’s new Student Loan Reimbursement Program, set to launch on January 1, 2025.
The program, which aims to alleviate the financial pressures of student loan debt, is designed to support Connecticut residents who graduate from a Connecticut institution and meet specific eligibility criteria.
The roundtable event, hosted by State Rep. Corey Paris of Stamford in Southern’s new School of Business building, included Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw of Avon, Rep. Toni Walker of New Haven, Rep. Darrell Wilson of Norwich, and CSCU Chancellor Terrence Cheng. Dr. Sydney M. Nelloms, assistant professor of sociology, and student speaker Aidon McCray, ‘27, both from SCSU, also provided perspective and testimonials.
SCSU Interim President Dwayne Smith opened the discussion with a focus on the program’s significance for Southern students, the vast majority of whom live and work in Connecticut.
“Student loan debt is a pressing issue impacting countless graduates, particularly first-generation students and those with high financial need,” Smith said. “Programs like this provide hope and create pathways for equitable access to higher education.”
“The faculty here [at SCSU] have had the privilege of working with bright and driven students who represent the future of our society. But too often I see the same students burdened with the unfair disadvantage of the crushing load of student debt that will shadow them for decades after graduation,” said Nelloms.
The panel explored the program’s anticipated impact, which includes easing financial stress for graduates, fostering community engagement through service requirements, and strengthening Connecticut’s workforce. Lt. Governor Bysiewicz emphasized the transformative potential of the initiative, stating, “This program is not just about financial relief—it’s about investing in the futures of our graduates and the communities they serve.”
McCray, a sophomore business major, shared his personal perspective on the challenges of managing student debt while pursuing his education. “Just like many students, I’m navigating the reality of student loans. The truth is, I don’t even know how much I’ll owe when I graduate. And that uncertainty is something, unfortunately, I share with countless other students.”
See coverage in The Connecticut Mirror.
