Jack Fazzino

It’s hard to believe, but we’re just a couple of weeks away from the start of another school year.

Just a quick reminder that Connecticut’s Sales Tax-Free Week begins this Sunday, August 17, and runs through Sunday, August 23. It’s a great opportunity to tackle your back-to-school shopping without paying sales tax!

Wishing you and your family a smooth and successful start to the new school year!

There's plenty to get to in the email below, make sure to keep scrolling for more on:

• Sales Tax Free Week
• Student Loan Relief
• CT Alert
• DMV Scam Alert

Connecticut's annual Sales Tax-Free Week begins on Sunday, August 17, and runs through Saturday, August 23. This is Connecticut's 26th Sales Tax-Free Week and it provides a chance to save money, whether it is taking the kids back-to-school shopping or treating yourself or your loved ones.

Highlights of Sales Tax-Free Week:

• Sales or purchases of certain items of clothing or footwear costing less than $100 per item are exempt from Connecticut's 6.35% sales tax
• Sales Tax-Free Week applies to purchases made in-store, online, mail-order, and over the phone
• This special exemption applies to purchases made from retailers located in Connecticut as well as from online retailers

Shop smart – and locally whenever possible to support small businesses – to save during Connecticut’s Sales Tax-Free Week!

The Connecticut Office of Higher Education (OHE) announced that the Student Loan Reimbursement Program (SLRP) will reopen for applications on Friday, August 15.

The SLRP provides up to $5,000 annually, with a four-year cap at $20,000, to eligible applicants who meet service and income requirements.

Recent changes have expanded eligibility for Connecticut’s student loan relief program, helping it reach more residents burdened by student debt.

The updated criteria now recognize a wider range of educational and volunteer experiences, allowing more individuals to qualify for assistance. Notably, former Stone Academy students may now be eligible for relief following the school's closure. Those who did not receive a tuition refund are now eligible for reimbursement.

According to OHE, these changes are designed to provide a pathway to recover from both educational and financial setbacks, ensuring the program serves those most in need.

The following includes the program’s key eligibility requirements:

• Must be a Connecticut resident for at least five consecutive years
• Must have an outstanding student loan balance and made a qualifying payment in 2024
• Must have graduated from a Connecticut college/university, or attended a program to earn a professional license/certificate
• Income limits: $125,000 for individuals and $175,000 for married applicants
• Must have 50 hours of verified volunteer service since Jan. 1, 2024, at a qualifying nonprofit, municipal agency, or through military service
• A hardship waiver may be requested in certain cases of degree non-completion

Applicants must create an account, complete the application, and upload all required documents to be considered for approval. Click here to create an account and apply.

The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is urging state residents to sign up for the CT Alert emergency notification system as extreme weather incidents continue to increase.

According to DESPP, more than 5,000 residents signed up for CT Alert just over the last month — more than during any one of the last three years bringing the total to nearly 226,000 people who have signed up for the emergency notifications.

DESPP offered a number of tips on how to prepare for potential severe weather:

• Download the CTPrepares app for your mobile phone so you know how to prepare for any emergency.
• Create an emergency kit to keep in your home so you are ready for any emergency.
• Put together a “go bag” with copies of important documents, prescriptions, battery-operated radio, and other items such as a cell phone charger.
• Make sure you have an evacuation plan, particularly if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone.

Signing up for CT alert system can be done online or by texting CTALERT to 888-777.

Scammers are back at it - IGNORE threatening text messages from
CT DMV

Scammers are again sending threatening text messages to people. Ignore and delete the messages. They are a scam.

Connecticut DMV will NEVER contact you by text message.

Visit the agency’s official website if you need DMV information at https://ct.gov/dmv.