Operation College Promise (OCP) is a consortial project of New Jersey's nine state colleges and universities to aid servicemembers access the tools necessary to meet their higher educational objectives.
OCP originated as a web-based resource designed by the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities (NJASCU) in July 2008 to centralize transition information for servicemembers on a user-friendly web portal. This effort, with enthusiastic support by the consortium's presidents, led to the creation of a task force of veteran service providers from each of the nine state colleges/universities to research existing programs and services. These conversations helped mold the application for the ACE/Wal-Mart Foundation "Success for Veterans" grant, now entering its second year.
The OCP application to ACE/Wal-Mart paved the way for the program's success by identifying and highlighting the existing veteran-friendly components as a blueprint for action. Assets among the nine were then synthesized to craft a more comprehensive effort to aid servicemembers in their transition to civilian life. ACE/Wal-Mart funding permits OCP to develop and enhance "best practices," even as they continue to evolve, for dissemination among New Jersey institutions and others across the nation. Recent projects include the development of a Campus Resource Guide and the nation's first Certificate for Veterans Service Providers (CVSP) program. The CVSP project, which will be offered periodically in the state and beyond, brings together the nation's most prominent experts for a 2-1/2 day workshop on building "environments for veterans' success" wherever they are being served.
The nine NJASCU state institutions have established a solid foundation for incoming veterans that is attracting an influx of new student veterans in numbers even beyond expectations. The Operation College Promise project currently supports more than 12,000 (8% of total student body) active-duty or veteran students, as well as dependents on NJASCU campuses. The project has also reached over 500 veterans service providers through live presentations and thousands more through electronic means. To date, direct outreach to servicemembers exceeds 4,000 live, and thousands more electronically.
OCP welcomes your comments and suggestions, please direct them to walang@njascu.org.
150 West State Street Trenton, New Jersey 08608 609-989-1100
Operation College Promise takes part in Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Event - August 2009. NBC40 News Coverage. To see video, click here.
September 15, 2009 - NJN News
Statewide Conference "Keeping the Promise - Meeting the Needs of New Jersey's Servicemembers" coverage. To see video clip, click here.
The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with Veterans Affairs to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest pubic in-state undergraduate tuition rate. The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution. See which NJ state colleges have agreed to participate, and for specific information on an institution's Yellow Ribbon Program, please contact the campus coordinator. To access coordinators, click here.
The GI Go Fund provides transition assistance to veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as support, recognition, and gratitude to all of our servicemen and women. Learn more, here.
The WRIISC Clinical Programs focus on the deployment health concerns of combat Veterans including those with difficult to diagnose or medically unexplained symptoms. Our teams of multi-disciplinary clinicians are uniquely qualified to evaluate Veterans who have deployment-related health concerns. Learn more, here.
A comprehensive resource for servicemembers considering higher education. Learn more, here.
NJ Civil Service Commission
accepting aplications for 2010 Law Enforcement Examination (LEE) through August 31, 2010.
Learn more.
Road Map for Success This "Road Map" will help you determine what benefit is best for you and how to apply for it!
