I don’t know who New Jersey’s next Edison, Einstein, or Beatrice Hicks (my favorite engineer) will be, but any New Jersey student who wants to go to one of our great universities does. I know I should. their family income. And know that when we invest in the scientists and engineers of the future, we’re not just investing in things like cancer cures or the next breakthrough in renewable energy, we’re investing in our future. Politicians in Washington, D.C., are debating whether it makes sense to help young people pay less debt, but here in New Jersey, we’re doing something that’s a win-win for everyone. I’m here.
Competition to fill slots in areas such as electronics, biotechnology, computer chip manufacturing and renewable energy is becoming more intense. If New Jersey wants to keep up, not only will it ease the financial burden on future tech workers, but it will partner with leading innovation companies so they can help our state grow and thrive. must be able to support
according to Education Data InitiativeThe average University of New Jersey graduate has about $36,000 in debt, but there’s a new program that will reduce that debt by $8,000 for science, technology, engineering and math graduates who live and work in New Jersey. .
The program was launched in 2018 and when I was a member of the General Assembly, I was proud to be one of the major sponsors of the legislation. A first group of graduates are now eligible to apply for debt relief.
This program is easy. The New Jersey college graduate is employed in her high-growth STEM field and receives $1,000 annually for up to four years toward paying off state and federal student loans. by a New Jersey employer. The participant will receive up to $4,000 from the state and her $4,000 equal from her employer.
We are all stronger when we all invest in higher education. His world-class STEM degree program in New Jersey continues to shine by providing world-class talent and a highly skilled workforce. We need to ensure that every opportunity is available to students who are interested in these fields and are motivated to pursue them.
Local employers benefit from building a qualified and loyal employee base. Graduates who take on these in-demand roles have the added incentive of living and working in New Jersey.
And, of course, there is also our economy. This initiative creates a perfect approach to growing a modern innovation economy that will allow New Jersey to not only continue to compete with the rest of the world, but to lead the world.
We don’t know what the next big discovery will be — a cancer cure, a new clean energy source like nuclear fusion, or a self-driving car — but we want to make sure it comes from something new, whatever it is. A Jersey graduate working in New Jersey.
The STEM Loan Reimbursement Program is administered by the State Office of Higher Education Student Assistance. Application and eligibility details for participation can be found online. hesaa.org/Pages/NJSTEMLRP.aspx.
State Senator Andrew Zwicker represents New Jersey’s 16th District and is a scientist and educator at the Plasma Physics Laboratory at Princeton University.
