Third Annual Heart of a Hero Scholarship Announced

New Jersey's First Lady Mary Pat Christie today announced New Jersey Heroes third annual Heart of a Hero Scholarship. The program helps military service members pursue a post-secondary education or vocational training by providing another resource to 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 2014-15 school year.

"We’re pleased to have this opportunity to repay our military heroes in this small way for their service and sacrifice on behalf of our country," she said.  

“Over the past two years, we’ve been able to provide assistance that has enabled our service men and women to pursue careers in areas such as the law enforcement, fine arts, environmental science, medicine and marketing."

For 2013 Heart of a Hero recipient Marine Corps Captain Christopher Southard of Margate, “This scholarship is a huge help as I transition from Active Duty into the Reserves and a career in law enforcement. The scholarship helped me to complete my MS Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati in April. Also I have received a conditional offer of employment as a county investigator with the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office and I look forward to beginning work with them this July.”

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 2014-15 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 http://newjerseyheroes.org/index/2014-heart/" rel="nofollow">http://newjerseyheroes.org/index/2014-heart/ by no later than 5:00 p.m. Friday, August 1, 2014 or submit an application via US Mail postmarked no later than August 1, 2014 and mailed to NJ Heroes, P.O. Box 95, Mendham, NJ 07945-0095. Application deadline is Friday, August 1, 2014. Heart of a Hero Scholarship recipients will be notified in late August.