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State lawmakers, along with the United University Professions (UUP) joined the Student Borrower Protection Center and the Community Service Society of New York to urge Governor Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders to support legislation that will aid in the resolution of student debt held by public workers who are not full-time employees.
They are urging Governor Hochul to support passage of a that amends state labor law, giving full-time employment status to public employees who work at least 30 hours per week, expanding eligibility for the federal Public Student Loan Forgiveness program, and then ensuring that debt forgiveness, cancellation, or discharge will not be subject to taxation or be required to report on individual income tax returns.
“Every New Yorker deserves access an affordable, world-class higher education, but we know that all too often, programs built to aid students present unnecessary complications,” said Frederick E. Kowal, UUP President. “This bill addresses several well-documented barriers to entry to PSLF, ranging from inconsistent program term definitions to confusion about program eligibility, which impede New Yorkers’ ability to participate in this vital program. We strongly urge Governor Hochul and our legislative leadership to prioritize the passage of this legislation as part of their commitment to supporting higher education access in New York State.”
