The State of New Jersey recently enacted a law
creating a program whereby a person who is an active member of a volunteer
fire company or volunteer first aid or rescue squad or association
in good standing and the dependent children and spouse of the volunteer
may enroll in a postsecondary program at a county college, county
vocational school or county technical institute on a tuition-free
basis. The purpose of this article is to announce the Township of
Old Bridge's participation in this program and to enumerate the rules
of the program.
The Township of Old Bridge elects to participate
in the tuition credit program authorized by N.J.S.A. 18A:71-78.1 et
seq., allowing a person who is an active member of a volunteer fire
company or volunteer first aid or rescue squad or association in good
standing and the dependent children and spouse of the volunteer to
enroll in a postsecondary program on a tuition-free basis in a county
college, county vocational school or county technical institute.
Amended 1-9-2006 by Ord. No. 38-2005]
A person who is an active member of a volunteer
fire company or volunteer first aid or rescue squad or association
in good standing and the dependent children and spouse of the volunteer
shall be eligible for tuition credit at a county college, county vocational
school or county technical institute, provided the person enters into
an agreement with the Township to serve as a volunteer for four years
with the volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid or rescue squad
or association. The volunteer or dependent child or spouse must maintain
a "C" grade average or equivalent in order to remain eligible for
tuition credit. Upon completion of each semester, the volunteer or
dependent child or spouse shall submit a transcript to the Township
Business Administrator.
Volunteers eligible to receive tuition credit
may apply for a letter of eligibility from the Business Administrator
to present to the appropriate institution to verify that the volunteer
has performed the service required for tuition credit. The Township
Business Administrator shall issue a letter of eligibility to eligible
volunteers. The letter of eligibility must state that the volunteer
is a member in good standing of a volunteer fire company, volunteer
first aid or rescue squad or association.
Following each year of volunteer service performed,
the volunteer or the spouse or dependent child shall be entitled to
receive tuition credit of up to $600, not to exceed a maximum of $2,400
for the volunteer, children and spouse over a four-year period.