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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Ann
Beth Kier |
State Rep. Chris
Sainato
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Sainato announces MH/MR loan forgiveness bill passes the House
HARRISBURG, June 8 – State Rep. Chris Sainato, D-Lawrence/Beaver, said a bill he co-sponsored to offer loan forgiveness to college students pursuing careers in the fields of mental health/mental retardation or alcohol and drug treatment unanimously passed the House of Representatives this week.
The measure (H.B. 49) would create a Mental Health and Mental Retardation Staff Member Loan Forgiveness Program within the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.
“The cost of higher education has become increasingly more expensive and students who choose their desired field sometimes find it a challenge just to stay in school because of the cost,” Sainato said. “Attracting qualified people to the mental health and mental retardation services field is vital to assisting those populations with the necessary care they need and this loan forgiveness program is a valuable tool in helping them do that.”
Sainato said people who have successfully completed the first six months of full-time employment and remain in good standing as a staff member at a county mental health or mental retardation service agency, a contracted private provider or a counselor at a licensed alcohol and drug addiction treatment facility would be eligible to have up to $20,000 of their college student loans forgiven.
Sainato said only PHEAA-administered loans would be forgiven over four years of full-time staff work, with no more than $5,000 being forgiven each year. Applicants would be required to have a two- or four-year academic degree or diploma.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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