TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators John A. Girgenti and Joseph Coniglio which would help New Jersey’s active Armed Forces with the burden of paying tuition for higher education was approved by the full Assembly today.
“Our men and women in the National Guard and the reserves sacrifice a great deal at home to fight for our country,” said Senator Girgenti, the Chair of the Senate Law, Public Safety & Veterans Affairs Committee. “When our soldiers return home we need to ensure that they are not left to battle a financial war.”
The bill, S-532, would permit any student who is a member of the New Jersey national Guard or reserves and is unable to complete a course at a New Jersey college as a result of being called to duty would be able to re-enroll in the course upon completion of military service.
“Our National Guard members put their lives on the line to protect our country,” said Senator Girgenti, D-Bergen and Passaic. Many members enlist in order to pay for college or graduate school. This bill guarantees that their educational pursuits are not affected because they are called to active duty.
The bill now heads to the Governor’s Office for final consideration.
