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Vin Gopal
Senator | Long Branch, NJ

NJTEAM Act

Idea Category: Education

Problem

According to a 2018 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, service-connected disabled veterans had an unemployment rate of 5.2 percent in August, 1.4 percent higher than the national unemployment rate.

Fortunately, many institutions have developed specific programs and services designed to enhance veteran success in higher education. These programs are specifically designed to help veterans thrive in civilian life.

Despite federal education benefits, service disabled veterans still face barriers from accessing these programs. One barrier preventing veterans from taking advantage of these programs is overall cost, especially for those veterans who have not lived in New Jersey for long enough to qualify for in-state tuition.

Solution

This law qualifies any veteran that has received a discharge that is other than dishonorable and has a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from the Department of Veterans Affairs for in-state tuition at New Jersey public institutions of higher education, regardless of how long that individual has lived in New Jersey.

By removing such an expensive barrier to higher education, this bill opens more doors to job training and career advancement opportunities for a vulnerable population. With more easily available resources, service-connected disabled veterans can increase their ability to succeed in civilian society.