P.L. 2015, c.032 (A3967)

An Act concerning tuition for veterans at public institutions of higher education and supplementing chapter 62 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the “New Jersey Tuition Equality for America’s Military (NJTEAM) Act.”

2. a. A veteran or covered individual who is living in New Jersey and is attending a public institution of higher education in New Jersey shall be regarded as a resident of the State for the purpose of determining tuition, regardless of the veteran or covered individual’s state of residence.

b. As used in this section:

“Covered individual” means an individual who is entitled to educational assistance under provisions of the federal “Post-9/11 Educational Assistance” program (38 U.S.C. ss.3311(b)(9) or 3319) by virtue of such individual’s relationship to a veteran.

“Veteran” means a person who has served on active duty in the Uniformed Services of the United States and who was discharged or released and who qualifies for educational assistance under the federal “All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program” (38 U.S.C. s.3001 et seq.) or “Post-9/11 Educational Assistance” program (38 U.S.C. s.3301 et seq.).

3. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill, which will be known as the “New Jersey Tuition Equality for America’s Military (NJTEAM) Act,” provides that a veteran who is living in New Jersey and attending a public institution of higher education in New Jersey will be regarded as a resident of the State for tuition purposes, thereby making the veteran eligible to pay an in-State tuition rate regardless of the veteran’s state of residence. A “veteran” for purposes of the bill is an individual who has served on active duty in the Uniformed Services of the United States and who was discharged or released and who qualifies for educational assistance under the federal “All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program” (38 U.S.C. s.3001 et seq.) or “Post-9/11 Educational Assistance” program (38 U.S.C. s.3301 et seq.).

The bill also allows certain other “covered individuals,” such as a veteran’s spouse or child, who are living in New Jersey to pay in-State tuition at a public institution of higher education, regardless of their state of residence. A “covered individual” for purposes of the bill is an individual who is entitled to educational assistance under provisions of the federal “Post-9/11 Educational Assistance” program (38 U.S.C. ss.3311(b)(9) or 3319) by virtue of the individual’s relationship to a veteran.

The provisions of this bill conform with section 702 of the federal “Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014” (38 U.S.C. s.3679). The federal law directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disapprove, for purposes of the All-Volunteer Force and the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance programs, courses of education provided by a public institution of higher education if the institution charges veterans and covered individuals living in the state higher tuition and fees than it charges in-state residents.

“New Jersey Tuition Equality for America’s Military (NJTEAM) Act”; provides in-State tuition at New Jersey public institutions of higher education to military veterans and certain family members living in New Jersey.