Establishes Volunteer Emergency Responder Loan Redemption Program in Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.
This bill establishes the Volunteer Emergency Responder Loan Redemption Program, which provides student loan forgiveness for New Jersey residents who serve as volunteer emergency responders. To qualify, participants must have completed an in-state undergraduate degree or certificate program, be active members of volunteer fire, ambulance, or emergency management teams, and provide documentation of their service. The program redeems up to $16,000 of eligible student loans over three years of service: $4,000 in the first year, $4,000 in the second year, and $8,000 in the third year (capped at 25%, 25%, and 50% of the original loan balance, respectively). Participants must maintain active volunteer status each year to receive benefits, and the program applies to loans used for in-state higher education costs.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026
Last action Jan 13, 2026
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Full legislative history
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1
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0
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Holly Schepisi
RRepublican
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