If you have ever gone to college, you know it ain’t cheap. But, the state of Connecticut is trying to institute a new approach to helping students out – green students that is.
There is legislature in Connecticut now that could waive student loans of those seeking degrees or certificates in green careers. Other states that have been in need of certain types of professions, such as doctors, nurses, and teachers, have waived student loans in the past in lieu of the students promising to practice in that state for a certain amount of time after graduation.
But, this Connecticut bill is ground breaking in that it would waive up to $2,500 annually for up to four years or 5 percent of the total loans (whatever is the lower amount). But to qualify, students much earn a bachelor’s or associate’s degree and commit to working in Connecticut in their chosen green field for at least two years.
The bill must be approved by the House-Senate Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement in a March 16 vote. If the bill passes, Economic Development Commissioner Joan McDonald hopes it will bring some younger workers to the state. She said, “”What we’re doing here is to encourage people to come here and stay here.”
The state also wants to help retrain those that are currently unemployed due to the bad economy and has another bill in the works for that. Paul Goulenthropes was laid off from the paper manufacturing plant where he worked and is taking classes for environmental studies at Goodwin College in East Hartford. As an unemployed worker looking to switch careers, he is hoping the green loan bill will pass to help pay for his education. “Everything I’ve taken out since October is on the student loan program,” he said “Any little bit would help, especially with the job market the way it is.”
President Obama has been stressing the importance of green careers lately. In January, he announced $2.3 billion in tax cuts that could create up to 17,000 new green jobs in fields such as solar, wind, and energy management.