New Jersey Assembly Bill A2711

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Establishes New Jersey Veteran Grant Program in Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.

Impact

The bill specifies that grants will be contingent on other scholarships and financial aid, where any unmet tuition costs must be waived by the public institution. Eligibility for the grant requires veterans to have completed at least one year of service in the Armed Forces, received an honorable discharge, and maintained academic standards. The bill is designed not only to support the educational accessibility of veterans but also to ensure that they exhaust all available federal and state financial assistance before receiving state funding.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2711, introduced in the New Jersey legislature, establishes the New Jersey Veteran Grant Program aimed at providing financial assistance to veterans who enroll in public institutions of higher education. The program is intended to help veterans achieve their educational goals without bearing the financial burden of tuition and mandatory fees. Under the program, eligible veterans can receive grants administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, allowing for funding up to 18 credit hours per semester, contingent upon available appropriations.

Contention

There are provisions in the bill regarding the academic conduct of participating students; those who are dismissed for disciplinary reasons will lose their eligibility and be required to repay any funds received. While the bill has the potential to significantly ease the educational pathway for veterans in New Jersey, it may also prompt discussions around accountability and the conditions under which veterans acquire financial support for their education.