2017 -- H 5750

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - THE RHODE ISLAND STUDENT LOAN AUTHORITY

     Introduced By: Representatives Marszalkowski, Regunberg, and Handy

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2017

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-62 of the General Laws entitled "The Rhode Island Student

Loan Authority" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-62-23. Reduction in interest program.

     An individual who meets the requirements established in this section and §§16-62-24 and

16-62-25 shall be entitled to a two percent (2%) reduction in the interest rate on any eligible loan

issued, originated, or serviced by the authority. This reduction in interest shall not reduce the

principal due and owing on any eligible loan.

     16-62-24. Program requirements.

     (a) To be eligible for participation in the reduction in interest program established in this

section and in §§16-62-23 and 16-62-25 (the "program") an individual must:

     (1) Attend a college or university for at least two (2) years and graduate from the college

or university;

     (2) Have eligible student loans due and payable for said college or university which loans

were issued, originated, or serviced by the authority;

     (3) Reside in the state of Rhode Island following graduation from the college or

university for a period of at least two (2) continuous years and at all times thereafter while the

person is participating in the program;

     (4) Participate in the federal Pay as You Earn Repayment Program (PAYE), 20 U.S.C.

§1098e, if eligible to do so; and

     (5) Be engaged in full-time employment located or based in Rhode Island during the time

the individual is participating in the program. As used herein, the term "full-time employment"

means being engaged in work for an employer for a period that averages at least thirty-five (35)

hours per week and earning a wage at least equal to the state's prevailing minimum wage. A

person who is self-employed may be eligible for the program by showing that the person's gross

annual earnings equals the amount calculated by taking the state's prevailing minimum wage,

multiplying that figure by thirty-five (35), and then multiplying that figure by fifty-two (52).

     (b) Any person who obtains a deferment on the payment of a student loan shall not be

entitled to participate in the program for so long as the deferment is in effect.

     16-62-25. Application and continued eligibility.

     (a) Application. Any individual seeking to participate in the program pursuant to the

provisions of this section and §§16-62-23 and 16-62-24 (the "program") shall apply to the Rhode

Island student loan authority on forms prescribed by the authority containing any information that

the authority deems advisable to fulfill the provisions of this program. The authority's executive

director, or designee, shall determine the eligibility of each applicant.

      (b) Continued eligibility. Any individual deemed eligible to participate in the program

shall, not less than annually, submit to the authority any information that the authority may

prescribe to determine the individual's continued eligibility for the program in regard to their

eligible loan(s).

     (c) Failure to maintain eligibility. In the event the authority determines that an individual

is no longer eligible for participation in the program that individual shall be required to pay the

holder of their loan in accordance with the terms of the loan, as of the date the authority makes its

determination. Such determination shall be in writing and sent by regular U.S. Mail and, if the

person maintains an electronic mail account, to the person's electronic mail address. An

individual who was eligible to participate in the program who subsequently loses eligibility shall

not have any liability for any interest that was reduced and waived while the individual was in the

program.

     16-62-26. Rules and regulations.

     The authority may promulgate any rules and regulations that it deems necessary to

implement the provisions of the reduction in interest program.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - THE RHODE ISLAND STUDENT LOAN AUTHORITY

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     This act would establish a reduction in interest program to be administered by the Rhode

Island Student Loan Authority. The program would provide that students with eligible student

loans who work and reside in Rhode Island for a period of at least two (2) years after graduating

from college or university would be eligible to a two percent (2%) reduction in the interest rate on

their eligible student loans. No person would be eligible to participate in the program during any

period that payment on the person's loan was deferred.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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