Recycling Education and Research Foundation Announces 2026 Veterans Stipend Recipients

The News: The Recycling Education and Research Foundation (RERF) announced U.S. veterans Taylor Reisinger and Giovanni Matos as the recipients of the 2026 Veterans Stipend. The $2,500 stipend provides financial support to veterans enrolled in a formal training or licensing program and can be used to cover costs that are often not permitted through traditional government or financial assistance programs.

Reisinger is dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and first responders. His commitment is rooted in his own military service and the challenges he has faced as a result. Like many veterans, Reisinger continues to navigate the long-term effects of his service. Rather than allowing these experiences to limit his potential, he has transformed them into a source of purpose and motivation, dedicating his career to improving the health and well-being of those who have made sacrifices for their country and communities.

“The financial support from the RERF Veterans Stipend is huge for me and my family and will help ease the financial burden of my education as a future nurse practitioner,” said Reisinger. “Serving my country is easily one of the best decisions I have made in my life and is something that you can be forever proud of.”

Matos served in the Army as a Human Resources Specialist, responsible for keeping the personnel side of the Army running. He has carried the structure and discipline he learned in the Army into his experiences after active duty from school and work to how he approaches problems. He is studying cybersecurity at Penn State Abington and is interested in protecting the systems that the government relies on.

“Receiving the RERF Veterans Stipend means a great deal to me because it represents more than financial assistance,” said Matos. “It is an investment in my education and my future beyond military service. Serving my country has been a transformative experience in my life. The Army taught me that growth often comes from uncertainty, and that you don’t have to know exactly where you’re going as long as you’re willing to move forward.”