First Lady Mary Pat Christie Kicks-Off Fourth Annual Heart of a Hero Scholarship for Military Service Members - 6/18/15
Ten Scholarships Available to Advance Post-Secondary Education Goals
Trenton, NJ – Continuing to foster the Christie Administration’s ongoing commitment to military members, veterans and their families, First Lady Mary Pat Christie today announced New Jersey Heroes’ fourth annual Heart of a Hero Scholarship. Mrs. Christie established the program as another resource to help New Jersey’s military men and women make their higher education and career goals a reality. This year, New Jersey Heroes is funding ten $5,000 scholarships to be awarded in time for the 2015-16 school year.
“New Jersey Heroes is again honored to have this opportunity to repay our military heroes in this small way for their service and sacrifice on behalf of our country,” said Mrs. Christie. “Over the past three years, the Heart of a Hero Scholarship has helped 30 of our military service members advance their professional lives– from law enforcement and nursing to business management and environmental science. We’re pleased to be able to play a part in the career preparation of these most deserving New Jerseyans.”
For 2014 Heart of Hero recipient Katie Grogan an Air Force and NJ National Guard Reservist from Jackson, it was an honor to have received the 2014 Heart of a Hero scholarship. “The monetary amount helped cover the cost of my uniforms, books and part of the tuition for my nursing program,” Grogan said. “I am so grateful to everyone involved in the committee that honors Veterans through this amazing scholarship.”
For Navy Petty Officer 2nd Joseph Mack Mota, from Lacey Township, the Heart of a Hero scholarship helped him reach his educational goals. “With the support of the NJ Heart of a Hero Scholarship, I earned my Master’s Degree in December and was able to secure employment working with student-veterans like me who aspire to receive a college education,” Mota said. “I want to thank Mary Pat Christie and the entire NJ Heroes Foundation staff for their dedication to all our New Jersey military veterans currently or formerly serving.”
Applicants for the Heart of a Hero Scholarship must meet several program criteria: 1) be a United States citizen and New Jersey resident; 2) be a high school graduate or have a high school equivalency diploma (GED); 3) served in the military and submit documentation of military service; if discharged from the military, must show proof of honorable discharge; 4) enroll as a student at an accredited college/university or a vocational training school in pursuit of a degree for the 2015-16 school year; 5) demonstrate a commitment to volunteerism and community contribution, in the spirit of New Jersey Heroes.
Service members interested in applying for the Heart of a Hero Scholarship must fully complete the application form either online at the New Jersey Heroes website: http://newjerseyheroes.org/index/2015-heart-of-a-hero-scholarship-application-form/ by no later than 5:00 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2015 or submit an application via US Mail postmarked no later than July 31, 2015 and mailed to NJ Heroes, P.O. Box 95, Mendham, NJ 07945-0095. Application deadline is Friday, July 31, 2015.
Heart of Hero Scholarship recipients will be notified in late August.
New Jersey Heroes is an initiative of First Lady Mary Pat Christie that showcases the positive and unique ways people and organizations are impacting New Jersey and their communities. To nominate a hero, go to http://newjerseyheroes.org and follow the application instructions to submit the person you believe is a true New Jersey Hero.
