Allen Bill Establishing “Troops to College” Program Approved by Committee

December 8, 2008

Contact: Brad Schnure / (609) 292-5199
Senator Diane Allen (R-7)

Program to Help Veterans Make the Transition into College Classrooms

Legislation sponsored by Senator Diane Allen (R-7) that would provide support services for veterans at New Jersey’s public institutions of higher education was approved today by the Senate Education Committee. The measure, S-2171, is modeled on California’s successful Troops to College Program and seeks to provide assistance to veterans attempting to obtain a college education.

“The transition from soldier to student can be difficult without effective support,” said Allen. “The Troops to College Program will ensure that our veterans have the services they need to obtain a college education and succeed in their post-military careers.”

Under the legislation, the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, in consultation with the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education, would be tasked with establishing the Troops to College Program. The program would be designed to assist New Jersey’s public institutions of higher education to provide a comprehensive array of services to veterans, including: assistance in applying for State and federal financial aid; counseling resources; a campus veterans’ assistance officer to provide a single point of contact for information on the institution’s benefits and programs for veterans; and an online resource to consolidate pertinent information specifically for veterans attending that institution.

“Our goal is to provide veterans with a comprehensive set of services to assist them from the time they start reviewing colleges to graduation day,” added Allen. “Those who have honorably served in defense of our nation should not be forgotten once they shed their uniforms.”

Link to Post:

http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/allen/allen-bill-establishing-troops-to-college-program-approved-by-committee/1779