Military Connection: In-state Rates for Vets in N.J. By Debbie Gregory

The New Jersey State Assembly passed legislation that benefits Veterans who are going back to college.

On December 18, 2014, Bill A-3967, titled the “New Jersey Tuition Equality for America’s Military (NJTEAM) Act” was passed by New Jersey’s State Assembly. The new legislation will require all public colleges and universities in the state to charge Veterans and their dependent children or spouse the in-state tuition rate, no matter where they are from.

To show exactly what a measure like this can mean for Veteran families, the basic tuition rates for undergrads attending Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, is $10,954 for in-state students and $25,732 for students who are not residents of New Jersey.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits will pay 100% of all in-state public school tuition, up to $20,235.02 per eligible year of their benefit at private or out of state schools. If the school does not offer, or the Veteran does not qualify for any other programs, a Veteran from another state would have to pay $5,496.98 per year out of their own pocket to attend Rutgers. This legislation rectifies that situation.

Some states already have similar measures in place. The Student Veterans of America (SVA) website shows all the states that have similar legislation in place. But there are also specific university systems across the country that run their own programs. For instance, all Veterans and dependents in California can apply for in-state tuition fee waivers at all University of California and California State University campuses. So be sure to check with your desired school to see what programs they offer, even if it isn’t legislated in your state.

MilitaryConnection.com would like to commend the state of New Jersey for implementing such necessary and valuable legislation that benefits Veterans and military families. One of the reasons that many Americans enlist in the U.S. military is to earn a college education. Measures like the NJTEAM Act afford Veterans the opportunity to use their hard-earned education benefits at more schools, and to achieve more of their post-military goals. There is no easier way for an entire nation to say “Thank you” to Veterans than by opening the doors of opportunity for them, allowing them to apply to the school of their choice, anywhere in the nation.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.