Van Drew, Cunningham Bill to Create Tuition Assistance for Disabled Retired Police Officers & Firefighters Clears Committee

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Sandra Cunningham and Senator Jeff Van Drew, which would make disabled retired law enforcement officers and firefighters eligible for free tuition at public institutions of higher education, cleared the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.

“When young men and women enroll in the police academy and begin working in law enforcement, they often intend for that to be a lifelong career,” said Senator Cunningham (D-Hudson). “Unfortunately, that can be disrupted by an injury that results in a disability. This legislation will provide a path forward for those individuals, allowing them to earn a degree and pursue a new career.”

The bill, S-2684, would make police officers and firefighters who retired, in good standing, due to a disability, eligible for free tuition. They could take up to 16 credits per semester tuition-free at New Jersey’s public colleges or proprietary institutions in the state.

For an individual to be eligible they would have to have retired because of a disability and have been a full-time officer for at least four years prior to becoming disabled. The officer would have to be accepted and in good standing, pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree at the college. They would have to have applied for all available state and federal grants and scholarships.

The bill was released from committee by a vote of 12-0, and next heads to the Senate floor for further consideration.