CT colleges say new student loan rules could drive away part-time students
Starting this month, part-time students only qualify for partial federal student loans. The Trump administration calls the changes "commonsense loan limits," but admissions officials at Southern Connecticut State University worry that working students could drop out.
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Connecticut colleges and universities say that new federal student loan rules are already leading to confusion – especially for working students.
Starting this month, part-time students only qualify for partial loans.
It’s part of a sweeping overhaul of the federal student loan system.
PART-TIME STUDENTS, PARTIAL LOANS
The new rules led to a tough decision for Waterbury native Lethzon Matos.
He started at Southern Connecticut State University as a part-time student, but now Matos is juggling a full class load – and a job.
“When I became a part-time student, it messed up my financial aid,” Matos said. “Because, as a part-time student, you don’t receive the full amount of federal aid.”
The Republican-led Congress passed the changes in last year’s "One Big Beautiful Bill." Parents and graduate students face new loan caps too. Plus there are big changes to repayment plans.
“The Trump administration is focused on putting students and taxpayers first, which is why we are implementing durable policies to make higher education more affordable,” said Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent.
NEW RULES LEAD TO CONFUSION
But at SCSU, where nearly a quarter of students attend part-time, admissions officials said the new rules are leading to confusion – and could drive working students to more expensive private loans.
“Students who begin a semester full-time, but experience a change in circumstance and need to drop below 12 undergraduate credits, could also see changes,” said Nilvio Perez, SCSU’s interim associate vice president of enrollment. “A recent high school graduate who is working while supporting their family, a parent returning to school for a career change or even a veteran transitioning after service.”
School leaders said part-time students are filling jobs facing critical shortages like teaching and nursing.
“They want to go full time, but they have to work,” said SCSU associate dean of students Chris Piscitelli. “Their rent doesn’t get cut in half.”
BLUMENTHAL PUSH
Sen. Richard Blumenthal is leading an effort to roll-back the student loan changes. His Restoring College Access and Affordability Act has almost no chance of passing this year, but Blumenthal is already looking ahead to 2027.
“It will be one of the very top priorities if Democrats regain control,” he said.
Even then, Blumenthal would need 60 votes to pass the legislation next year.
“Assuming that we have 51 votes in the Senate among Democrats, yes, I think we get nine Republicans,” he said.
“DON’T GIVE UP”
Matos is still nervous.
He had to raise money on GoFundMe to pay for school and almost dropped out.
“Something inside of me, you know, told me to keep going. Don't give up,” he said. “[But] it might push students to consider withdrawing or maybe even potentially drop out from school overall.”
