Senator Dawn Marie Addiego

September 14, 2009   

Contact: Robbie Kenney / (609) 654-1498
Senator Dawn Marie Addiego

Legislation Sponsored by Haines, Addiego & Rudder Signed into Law

A bill sponsored by Sen. Phil Haines, Assemblywoman Dawn Marie Addiego and Assemblyman Scott Rudder to help smooth the transition from the military base to the college campus for New Jersey’s veterans has been signed into law.

“We owe a great deal to our veterans who have volunteered to fight for our country. Their military training has prepared them for the challenges on the ground in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. This new law will help them adjust to a tour-of-duty as a civilian on a college campus,” said Assemblyman Scott Rudder.

A-3360/S-2171 establishes the Troops to College Program in the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs to assist veterans in making the transition to the college classroom. The Troops to College Program will collaborate with New Jersey’s public universities to provide a comprehensive array of services to aid veterans as they adjust into student life.

“Our troops have served the country proudly and courageously, and for their dedication and service, they have earned the benefits of this law and more,” said Assemblywoman Addiego. “This law assures our veterans will have a resource for information so they can spend more time on class work and less time worrying about financial aid and veterans’ benefits.”

The services the Troops to College Program provides include: assistance in applying for New Jersey and federal student 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.

“The shift from the battlefield to the college campus is a difficult one,” said Senator Haines. “The program will smooth the road for our veterans to get into school, earn their degrees, and excel in their future careers.”

Legislation Sponsored by Haines, Addiego & Rudder Signed into Law A bill sponsored by Sen. Phil Haines, Assemblywoman Dawn Marie Addiego and Assemblyman Scott Rudder to help smooth the transition from the military base to the college campus for New Jersey’s veterans has been signed [...]