TRENTON – Senator Benjie E. Wimberly (D-Bergen/Passaic) issued the following statement:

“I’m proud to uplift the incredible impact of the Teacher Loan Redemption Program, a state-funded initiative that brings meaningful financial relief to educators across New Jersey. Administered by the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) and funded through a $5 million appropriation. The program offers student loan forgiveness over three years to certified teachers working in high-need schools, specifically those performing whose students are performing below the state average, and in designated subject areas such as mathematics, science, special education, English as a Second Language (ESL), and career and technical education (CTE).

This year, 170 educators have been selected, a monumental increase from the program’s first year, when only two participants were approved due to limitations tied to NJCLASS loans, another financing option also run by HESAA, as reported by NorthJersey.com. With expanded access, this round finally reaches the people it was designed to support.

I celebrate every one of those 170 educators. This is a powerful acknowledgment of the vital, often unseen work they do, not just in classrooms, but in entire communities. In districts like Cliffside Park, Paterson, Garfield, and Prospect Park, many of these educators are serving student populations with high percentages of economic need, linguistic diversity, and limited external resources. Their role stretches far beyond instruction; they act as mentors, advocates, and emotional anchors for students facing complex challenges.

And while doing all of this, many teachers are still reaching into their own pockets to provide classroom supplies, snacks, and essentials their students need to succeed. Piling student loan debt on top of that only deepens the burden. The financial stress can take a toll on mental health, family stability, and professional growth.

You can’t pour from an empty cup. When educators are overwhelmed by personal financial pressure, it impacts everything from their ability to innovate in the classroom, to their long-term commitment to the profession. That’s why this loan forgiveness is so much more than a paycheck adjustment, this program and participants represent an investment in retention, equity, and sustainability.

I hope this news is celebrated not just by the 170 educators selected, but by every district that has been striving to attract and retain high-quality teachers. I believe this is the kind of people-first policy that can help rebuild the educator pipeline, relieve financial pressure, and keep great teachers in classrooms where they’re needed most.

This is a big win for us, and I’m hopeful it’s just the beginning."