The Troops to College Program

by: Jason Springer

Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 03:46:47 PM EDT

With more veterans returning from service, legislation that has already been approved by the Assembly and Senate unamiously is awaiting the Governor's signature:

The bill (A-3360) would require the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education, in consultation with the Department of Veterans' and Military Affairs, to establish the Troops to College Program.
The program would assist New Jersey's public institutions of higher education in coordinating a comprehensive array of services to help veterans make the transition into the college classroom.
The bill also would require an online resource to consolidate pertinent information specifically for veterans attending that institution.

The bill sets certain criteria to assist veterans looking to return to school:

Under the program the commission would be required to include certain information on its Internet site that would be designed to assist veterans in accessing the higher education opportunities that exist in the state. The information must include, but need not be limited to:
Contact information for the campus veterans? assistance officer at each of the public institutions of higher education; and
Information on the array of programs and services available to veterans at each of the public institutions of higher education.

It's good to put all the information in one place, but the heavier lift is making sure our veterans can afford the cost of getting that education. Fulfilling that commitment will be much more difficult, but no less important to helping our veterans gain the necessary skills to succeed. This issue is sure to be front and center when Christie and Corzine get together with the Veterans for Education. Kudos to the efforts of the group for making their needs a more prominent issue in the campaign for Governor.

Jason Springer :: The Troops to College Program