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New Jersey College Rights for Veterans and Service Members

New Jersey public colleges must give veterans and service members priority course registration, readmit a student who left for military service with the same academic standing and no fee, and give in-state tuition to anyone living in New Jersey using VA education or vocational rehabilitation benefits.

Also called: N.J.S.A. 18A:62-4.3b, N.J.S.A. 18A:62-4.3d, Combat to College Act, priority registration, readmission, P.L.2025, c.33, P.L.2019, c.264, in-state tuition.

For: Veteran or service member.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

Three statutes protect veterans and service members at New Jersey's public colleges and universities. Priority registration. N.J.S.A. 18A:62-4.3b, part of the Combat to College Act, P.L.2019, c.326, requires a public institution to give a service member, or a veteran honorably discharged from active duty in the Armed Forces, reserves or Guard, who lives in New Jersey, priority in registering for courses on the same terms as any other group the institution favours. Readmission. N.J.S.A. 18A:62-4.3d, added by P.L.2025, c.33 in March 2025, requires a public institution to readmit an undergraduate who withdrew because of service in the uniformed services, including active duty, active duty for training and full-time Guard duty under federal or state authority, "with the same academic status as the student had when the student last attended". A written request secures readmission for the next semester, and no application or other fee may be charged. P.L.2025, c.105 separately concerns grade options for a service member or dependent who cannot finish a course because of military obligations. In-state tuition. P.L.2019, c.264 extended resident tuition at public institutions to anyone living in New Jersey who is entitled to VA education benefits or Veteran Readiness and Employment, in line with federal law. Ask the college's veterans services office; most New Jersey public colleges have one.

Thresholds

No rating or income gate is recorded. Read the detail and the official source.

Sources

Legislation

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P.L.2025, c.33 (S1445) Required public colleges to readmit students who withdrew for uniformed service with the same academic status and no fee

Catalog reconciledEnactedProgram created

Signed

  1. Introduced Done, , step 1 of 6
  2. In committee Done, , step 2 of 6
  3. Passed one chamber Done, , step 3 of 6
  4. Passed both chambers Done, , step 4 of 6
  5. Signed by the governor Done, , step 5 of 6
  6. In effect Done, , step 6 of 6

Expands benefits Requires public colleges to readmit a student who withdrew for uniformed service with the same academic status and no fee.

Enacted N.J.S.A. 18A:62-4.3d. A public institution must readmit an undergraduate who withdrew because of service in the uniformed services, including Guard duty under state authority, with the same academic status, for the next semester after a written request, without an application or other fee. Approved March 7, 2025.

Sponsors

  • Troy SingletonSenate, District 7
  • Kristin M. CorradoSenate, District 40

And 3 more sponsors and 23 co-sponsors

Touches N.J.S.A. 18A:62-4.3d

Official record

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.