A 696 New Jersey General Assembly · 2024-2025 Regular Session

Establishes Volunteer First Responders Loan Redemption Program in Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.

This bill establishes a New Jersey program to help volunteer emergency responders reduce their student loan debt. It directly affects residents who serve as volunteer firefighters, EMTs, or emergency management volunteers after completing an in-state undergraduate degree or certificate. Participants can receive up to $6,000 in loan relief - $2,000 annually in years two through four of active service - capped at their actual outstanding loan balance. To qualify, they must meet specific volunteer hour requirements (500+ hours/year for EMTs/rescue, 60% alarm response for firefighters), provide verification from their organization, and complete their education on or after the bill’s effective date.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 9, 2024 Last action Jan 9, 2024
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Full legislative history

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Total actions
1
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Committee
0
Jan 9, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
MT
Mike Torrissi
RRepublican
NJ
8