Establishes New Jersey Veteran Grant Program in Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.
To qualify for this program, veterans must meet several criteria, which includes completing at least one year of federal active duty service, receiving an honorable discharge, and being a New Jersey resident. They must also apply for other forms of state and federal financial assistance before being eligible for the grant. This grants a unique advantage to veterans, as it aims to reduce financial barriers associated with attending higher education institutions, ultimately fostering a more educated workforce among veterans.
Assembly Bill A882 proposes the establishment of the New Jersey Veteran Grant Program aimed at supporting veterans enrolled in public institutions of higher education. The program's primary objective is to aid veterans in achieving their educational goals by providing financial assistance through grants, which shall be administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. Under this initiative, qualifying veterans may attend public colleges or universities without incurring tuition costs, as funds will cover tuition and mandatory fees for up to 18 credit hours in a semester.
A notable component of the bill includes stipulations regarding academic and disciplinary standards; if a student is dismissed for any reason, they lose their eligibility for the grant and must repay any funds received. This clause may raise concerns regarding the financial implications for veterans who may not fully understand the academic expectations or face challenges that lead to dismissals. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the requirement for institutions to waive remaining balances if grants do not cover full tuition, which highlights the responsibility of public colleges to assist veterans in ensuring they receive a complete education without additional financial burden.