Struzzi to Host Hearing on First Responder Tuition Assistance Bill

August 29, 2019

HARRISBURG – Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) will be hosting a testimonial hearing of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee to discuss his upcoming bill, House Bill 1773, which would create the Tuition Assistance for Active Volunteers Program in Pennsylvania. The hearing will be held on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 10 a.m. at the Indiana Area Fire Association White Township Station (IFA West), located at 1555 Indian Springs Road in Indiana.

Through this program, an active member of a volunteer fire company or EMS agency, who attends an approved institution of higher learning, would be eligible to receive tuition assistance.

“The value of our first responders is priceless, as they are the dedicated souls we call in our most desperate and dangerous times,” said Struzzi. “They deserve to be rewarded for the hard work and sacrifices they make daily to help us when we need it most. It is my hope that this program will incentivize and encourage more brave individuals to volunteer for these first responder services while also potentially increasing enrollment in our state system schools.”

Testimony will include presentations from local firefighters on tuition and education incentives. Struzzi’s bill is modeled after Pennsylvania’s National Guard Education Assistance Program, which offers tuition assistance to students who enter into a service commitment with the Pennsylvania National Guard for a period of six years.

The hearing will also discuss Rep. Chris Sainato’s (D-Lawrence) bill, House Bill 1786, which would forgive up to $16,000 of student loans for graduates who serve as a volunteer first responder for at least four years.

The event is open to the public and no RSVP is necessary.

Representative Jim Struzzi
62nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Kevin DiGuiseppe
717.260.6419 (office), 610.937.4679 (cell)
Kdiguiseppe@pahousegop.com
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