CONNERS/DIEGNAN MEASURE TO EXPAND SCHOLARSHIP TIME DURING ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY SIGNED INTO LAW

CONNERS/DIEGNAN MEASURE TO EXPAND SCHOLARSHIP TIME DURING ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY SIGNED INTO LAW 
Measure Will Expand Enrollment in STARS College Scholarship Programs

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assemblymen Jack Conners and Patrick Diegnan sponsored to extend eligibility in the “NJ STARS” college scholarship programs for military personnel called to active duty during their course of studies was signed into law today by Governor Jon S. Corzine.

The measure (A-3253/S-2956) will enable members of the military to remain actively enrolled in New Jersey’s Student Assistance Rewards Scholarship programs – STARS I and STARS II -- while on leave to fulfill a military service obligation. The new law takes effect immediately.

“NJ STARS programs provide exceptional students with a great opportunity to get an education,” said Conners (D-Camden/Burlington). “When a STARS student volunteers to serve his or her country, we need to make sure that those opportunities are still available to them when they come back home.”

Under current law, NJ STARS I and NJ STARS II require students to maintain continuous full-time enrollment, although a student may be granted an exception for leave due to a medical or family emergency.

“Our military men and women who are actively protecting our country should not have to forfeit their education or the scholarships that they have worked hard to secure,” said Diegnan (D-Middlesex). “Our troops who have earned college scholarships and are seeking to further their educations deserve our respect, admiration, and support.”

NJ STARS was the country’s first state-sponsored scholarship program designed specifically for community college students.  The scholarship program supports students continuing their studies at one of New Jersey’s 19 community colleges by covering the cost of full-time tuition for up to five semesters. The program offers scholarships to New Jersey’s highest-achieving high school students who graduate at the top 20 percent of their class. 

The State of New Jersey also has enacted NJ STARS II, which allows STARS students who graduate from a two-year community college with a 3.0 or higher to continue their education under STARS II at a four-year public college or university in New Jersey. 

For more information on NJ STARS, call 1-800-334-NJCC or visit www.NJSTARS.net

-- 30 --