A recently announced program by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) will forgive up to $2,500 worth of student loans for certain guardsmen and reservists with collegerelated ties to Pennsylvania. The program, which will be paid for with surplus funds generated by the PHEAA’s loan servicing programs, has created a sweeping interest among eligible service members.

“It is great to know that Pennsylvania cares enough about their soldiers to provide us with this offer. It shows that they believe in what we are doing over here and they support our efforts,” said Spc. Delano Brown with the Army Reserve’s 444th Personnel Services Battalion based in Pittsburgh, currently serving in Kuwait. Prior to being called to active duty, Brown was a senior at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh.

Other soldiers such as SSg. Charles Vincent III, also with the 444th in Kuwait, agree that the financial relief is significant. “This is meaningful because if I can get the loans paid back it will cover some of my lost wages,” he explained. Vincent holds a specialized business degree from Duff’s Business Institute.

To be eligible for the loan forgiveness program, a service member must meet the following criteria:

Must have served on active duty status between September 11, 2001, and September 30, 2003, excluding the annual two-week training period.

Must have an eligible, non-defaulted loan(s): PHEAA Guaranteed and/or American Education Services (AES) owned loans serviced by AES which are either Stafford, Consolidation, PLUS, SLS, HEAL, or KeystoneEXTRA. These loans must be disbursed on or before September 30, 2003.

Must hold one of four connections to Pennsylvania: (1) Currently a resident of Pennsylvania, (2) A non-resident of Pennsylvania who left a Pennsylvania-approved institution of post-secondary education due to a call to active duty, (3) A non-resident of Pennsylvania who was living in Pennsylvania at the time of enlistment, or (4) A non-resident of Pennsylvania who enlisted in the military immediately after attending a Pennsylvania-approved institution of post-secondary education.

“I was very excited to hear about this,” said Sgt. Jonathan Wise, also with the 444th in Kuwait. Wise holds an associate’s degree from Western School of Health and Business.

“I think it is great that some companies are taking care of the soldiers who are protecting America’s freedom.”

“We answered the call as soldiers and it’s nice that this program thanks us by helping with our student loans,” said Sgt. Christine Czaja, also with the 444th in Kuwait, who earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from California University of Pennsylvania. “This program makes me feel that as a soldier I am appreciated for the sacrifices I have made to help protect our country.”

The one-page application is available at www.aessuccess.com. Completed application forms must be returned by June 30, 2004, to AES Lender School Team, P.O. Box 2461, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-2461.