Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman AURA K. DUNN
District 25 (Morris and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Permits member of New Jersey National Guard to transfer certain tuition benefit to spouse or dependent child.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning tuition benefits available to members of the New Jersey National Guard and amending N.J.S.18A:62-24.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. N.J.S.18A:62-24 is amended to read as follows:
18A:62-24. a. Any member of the New Jersey National Guard shall be permitted to attend regularly-scheduled courses at any public institution of higher education in this State enumerated in N.J.S.18A:62-1 and receive up to 16 credits per semester tuition-free provided that:
(1) the member has completed Initial Active Duty Training and, except as otherwise provided pursuant to subsection c. of this section, is in good standing as an active member of the New Jersey National Guard;
(2) the member has been accepted to pursue a course of undergraduate study and is enrolled as an undergraduate student in good standing at that institution or a course of graduate study and is enrolled as a graduate student in good standing at that institution;
(3) the member has applied for all available State student grants and scholarships and all available federal student grants and scholarships for which the member is eligible; and
(4) the member has applied for tuition benefits available through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for which the member is eligible under the "Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008," Pub.L.110-252 (38 U.S.C. s.3301 et seq.), except that such application shall not be required in the case of a tuition benefit transfer by the member as permitted by federal law.
b. The State shall reimburse a public institution of higher education for the tuition cost of each National Guard member who enrolls in the institution pursuant to the provisions of this section to the extent that the tuition cost is not paid through tuition benefits available to the member through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs under the "Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008," Pub.L.110-252 (38 U.S.C. s.3301 et seq.).
c. Any member of the New Jersey National Guard whose enrollment in a public institution of higher education on a tuition-free basis pursuant to subsection a. of this section is interrupted by a deployment to active duty shall be permitted to receive the free tuition benefit after discharge from service under conditions other than dishonorable. In the event of a non-medical discharge or a medical discharge that is not caused by an illness or injury related to the performance of duties for the National Guard, eligibility for the free tuition benefit shall begin from the date of discharge and shall continue for one semester or a period of time equal to the length of the deployment, whichever is longer. In the event of medical discharge or medical retirement as a result of illness or injury incurred in the combat theater, as a result of terrorist action, or in the response to a natural disaster, eligibility for the free tuition benefit shall begin from the date of discharge or retirement and shall continue until completion of the degree program in which enrolled or for five years, whichever occurs first.
d. Any member of the New Jersey National Guard who has completed Initial Active Duty Training and is in good standing as an active member of the New Jersey National Guard may transfer the benefit available pursuant to subsection a. of this section to a spouse or dependent child, provided that the spouse or dependent child:
(1) has been accepted to pursue a course of undergraduate study and is enrolled as an undergraduate student in good standing at that institution or a course of graduate study and is enrolled as a graduate student in good standing at that institution; and
(2) the spouse or dependent child has applied for all available State student grants and scholarships and all available federal student grants and scholarships for which the spouse or dependent child is eligible.
A member may only transfer the benefit pursuant to this subsection to one person.
(cf: P.L.2009, c.208, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill permits a member of the New Jersey National Guard to transfer a certain tuition benefit to the member’s spouse or child.
Under current law, any member of the New Jersey National Guard is permitted to attend courses at any public institution of higher education and receive up to 16 credits per semester tuition-free provided that:
(1) the member has completed Initial Active Duty Training and is in good standing as an active member of the New Jersey National Guard;
(2) the member has been accepted to pursue a course of undergraduate study and is enrolled as an undergraduate student in good standing at that institution or a course of graduate study and is enrolled as a graduate student in good standing at that institution;
(3) the member has applied for all available State student grants and scholarships and all available federal student grants and scholarships for which the member is eligible; and
(4) the member has applied for certain federal tuition benefits.
The bill provides that any member of the New Jersey National Guard who has completed Initial Active Duty Training and is in good standing as an active member of the New Jersey National Guard may transfer the tuition benefit available under current law to a spouse or child, provided that the spouse or child:
(1) has been accepted to pursue a course of undergraduate study and is enrolled as an undergraduate student in good standing at that institution or a course of graduate study and is enrolled as a graduate student in good standing at that institution; and
(2) the spouse or child has applied for all available State student grants and scholarships and all available federal student grants and scholarships for which the spouse or child is eligible.
A member may only transfer the benefit to one person.