Connecticut's Student Loan Ombudsperson announced a series of free webinars to help state residents navigate federal student loan repayment and forgiveness options amid ongoing program changes. The sessions will cover federal loan modifications, repayment strategies, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and options for borrowers leaving the SAVE repayment plan.
According to an April 2026 report from the Connecticut Office of the State Comptroller, approximately 521,400 Connecticut residents hold $19.8 billion in federal student loan debt. Borrowers between ages 25 and 49 account for approximately $12.6 billion of that debt, while Connecticut borrowers age 62 and older hold approximately $2 billion.
The webinars are scheduled for September 23 at noon (Understanding July 1 Changes), October 22 at noon (Entering Repayment), November 5 at noon (Public Service Loan Forgiveness), and November 19 at noon (Exiting the SAVE Plan and Other Repayment Options). All sessions are free, virtual, and open to Connecticut residents, with separate registration required for each webinar. The Office of the Student Loan Ombudsperson also offers one-on-one appointments via phone or video.
Effective July 1, 2026, the Student Loan Ombudsperson office transferred from the Connecticut Department of Banking to the Office of Higher Education. The Office of Higher Education also administers the Student Loan Reimbursement Program, which provides eligible Connecticut residents with reimbursement for up to $5,000 in student loan payments made in 2025, subject to program eligibility requirements and available funding. Eligible borrowers must have attended a Connecticut college or university and completed 50 hours of volunteer service.