SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1755

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 8, 1977

      The Senate Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1755.

      This bill requires county colleges, county vocational schools and county technical institutes to allow active members in good standing of a volunteer fire company, volunteer first aid or rescue squad or association, to enroll in a postsecondary program tuition-free on a space available basis and receive a maximum tuition credit of up to $4,000. Volunteers are required to register with the municipality in which the fire company, squad or association is located and sign an agreement pledging four years of volunteer service in exchange for the tuition credits. In addition, the volunteer is required to maintain a "C" grade in tuition credit classes and submit a copy of the transcript each semester to the municipality. Following each year of volunteer service performed, the individual or the dependent children or spouse of the volunteer may receive tuition credit of $1,000 up to a maximum of $4,000 over a four-year period. In order to be eligible to receive the tuition credit, the volunteer has to verify to the institution that the service was performed by submitting a letter of eligibility provided by the participating municipality. No cost is associated with the bill because the volunteers and their dependents or spouses would attend on a space available basis after the minimum number of tuition paying students required for the course have registered.

      The Senate Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1755.