Mary Pat Christie Announces New Scholarship Program

First Lady Mary Pat Christie announces the New Jersey Heroes Heart of a Hero Scholarship Program at the Armory in Riverdale. Walmart is providing $100,000 for the scholarship program.

First Lady Mary Pat Christie today announced a $100,000 scholarship program through her New Jersey Heroes initiative that will help military service members pursue a post-secondary education or vocational training. The Heart of a Hero Scholarship program will give New Jerseyans who have served our state and country another resource to draw upon in order to make their higher education and career goals a reality. Walmart is donating $100,000 for the effort to fund ten $10,000 scholarships to be awarded in time for the 2012-13 school-year.

“We owe so much to our courageous veterans for their sacrifice and service to New Jersey and the nation,” said First Lady Mary Pat Christie. “I’m proud that New Jersey Heroes has this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our military members with the Heart of a HeroScholarship - helping these service men and women to achieve their dreams for a successful career and future.”

“Private sector partnerships are vital to projects like Heart of a Hero,” added Mrs. Christie. “Walmart’s generous contribution of $100,000 for these student scholarships is going to make the difference for 10 of our state’s veterans to pursue college.”

According to an American Council on Education report, active-duty and veteran students represent 4% of all undergraduates enrolled in post-secondary education. The study also indicates that student-veterans tend to be older than traditional students with 85% aged 24 or older. In addition, 43% of students with military experience attended public two-year institutions, 21% attended public four-year institutions, 12% enrolled in private nonprofit institutions, and 12% enrolled in private for-profit institutions.

Military undergraduates face a variety of issues including transitioning from military life to student life and difficulty in financing their education.

“New Jersey Heroes recognizes and celebrates the inspiring work being done by individuals and non-profit organizations across the Garden State,” noted Mrs. Christie. “In that spirit, the recipients of the Heart of a Hero Scholarship will continue to embody these same ideals through volunteerism and community service.”

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; 4) submit a letter stating goals and how the scholarship will be used; 5) enroll as a student at an accredited college/university or a vocational training school in pursuit of a degree for the 2012-13 school year; 6) demonstrate a commitment to volunteerism and community contribution, in the spirit of New Jersey Heroes.

“Walmart is honored to join First Lady Mary Pat Christie in supporting the New Jersey Heroes Heart of a Hero Scholarship Program,” said Jennifer Hoehn, Senior Manager of Public Affairs for New Jersey for Walmart Stores, Inc. “As one of the nation’s largest employers of veterans and those on active duty, Walmart recognizes the important role that the military, veterans and their families play in our nation.”

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 by no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 20, 2012 or submit an application via US Mail postmarked no later than July 20, 2012 and mailed to NJ Heroes, P.O. Box 95, Mendham, NJ 07945-0095. Application deadline is Friday, July 20, 2012.

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.