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TRENTON -A measure sponsored by Senator Fred H. Madden that establishes the “Social Services Student Loan Redemption Act,” to help forgive student loan burdens of up to $20,000 over four years for full-time direct health care professionals was signed into law today by Governor Richard J. Codey.

“For many recent graduates, student loan debt is a burden that could prevent them from working in the State’s social services positions because of the lower salaries offered in the public sector,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “State social work programs are not able to offer employees the higher salaries they would earn in private social work programs, so we have to offer candidates a different incentive. This measure allows the State to better compete with the private sector for qualified social workers.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Fred H. Madden that would establish the “Social Services Student Loan Redemption Program Act,” to help relieve student loan burdens of up to $20,000 over four years for full-time direct health care professionals was approved today by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

“The State loses a lot of young college graduates because salaries offered by the State cannot compete with the higher wages offered in the private sector,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “We are hoping to encourage these graduates to fill the vacant positions in the State’s social services field by offering to cover the cost of their student loans, which can pose a heavy burden on recent graduates.”

TRENTON – Senator Fred Madden today introduced legislation to implement a loan forgiveness program worth up to $20,000 to college graduates who take direct-care social services jobs in New Jersey.

“We need to provide incentives to attract full-time professionals to take on the difficult jobs of helping the poor, working in mental health facilities and caring for children with disabilities,” said Senator Madden, D-Glouceser and Camden. “This program is designed to attract the very best to begin careers in social services where current shortages in professional help are projected to continue.”