NJ A2579

Creates the Volunteer First Responders Loan Redemption Program within New Jersey's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to provide student loan relief for volunteer firefighters, first aid/rescue/ambulance squad members, and Office of Emergency Management volunteers.

Eligible participants can receive up to $6,000 in loan redemption, disbursed as $2,000 per year during the second, third, and fourth years of active volunteer service after graduating from an in-state undergraduate degree or certificate program.

Volunteer firefighters must respond to at least 60% of regular alarms and 60% of drills and hold Division of Fire Safety certification; other emergency responders must complete a minimum of 500 hours of volunteer work annually.

Applicants must be New Jersey residents and provide a sworn statement from their volunteer organization's chief or presiding officer confirming active membership in good standing.

The program allows contracts to be nullified upon participant death, total permanent disability, or extreme hardship, with no loan redemption benefits provided for partial years of service.