SENATE MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2553

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 26, 2020

      The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2553.

      Under the “New Jersey Tuition Equality for America’s Military (NJTEAM) Act,” P.L.2015, c. 32 (C.18A:62-4.1a et seq.), a veteran or other “covered individual,” such as a veteran’s spouse or child,  who qualifies for certain federal educational assistance, resides in New Jersey, and attends a public institution of higher education, is considered to be a State resident for tuition purposes and thereby eligible to pay an in-State tuition rate regardless of the individual’s state of residence.

      Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, public institutions of higher education have required students to complete coursework through remote instruction.  This bill amends the NJTEAM Act to allow veterans and covered individuals to continue to pay in-State tuition during any period of mandatory remote instruction due to a public health emergency, even if they are living outside of the State during the period of remote instruction.  This will allow those who benefit from the provisions of the NJTEAM Act to continue to receive in-State tuition while they are temporarily out-of-state due to the public health emergency.