EARLY EDUCATION LOAN FORGIVENESS AVAILABLE

 HARRISBURG, JULY 28 – State Sen. Connie Williams reminds professionals working at Pennsylvania licensed child-care centers or group day care homes, that a portion of their educational expenses may be eligible for forgiveness.

 “The professionals who work in and operate our child-care facilities are performing invaluable work,” Williams said. “They are helping to mold the future generation, even as they are preparing children to start school ready to learn. Wages attached to these positions, however, are not always as high as other professional careers.”

 Williams, who continues to advocate for safe and affordable child-care and better compensation for professionals who work in the field, said the state’s loan forgiveness program recognizes the value of child-care professionals and rewards people for choosing this field.

 The Quality Early Education Loan Forgiveness Program, funded by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency at no expense to taxpayers, provides up to 50 percent loan forgiveness to a maximum of $9,900 to eligible applicants.

 To qualify applicants must:

  • have a current or outstanding balance of a federally insured Stafford loan that is guaranteed and serviced by AES/PHEAA

  • have earned a bachelor’s degree and Pennsylvania Early Childhood Certificate or an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development during the 2003-04 academic year

  • be a Pennsylvania resident

  • not be in default on any federally-guaranteed student loan

  • have a gross annual income of no more than $23,000 from employment in a Pennsylvania Department of Welfare-approved child care center or group child day care home

  • be employed full-time by a Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare-approved child-care center or group home within six months of entering the Stafford loan grace period.

 Through the program, PHEAA will forgive up to one-sixth of the qualifying loan debt annually, based on outstanding principal, up to a maximum of $3,300 per year for a maximum of three years.

 For more information or to download an application visit PHEAA’s Web site at www.pheaa.org.