Bill Text: NJ S3789 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Provides in-State tuition at public institutions of higher education to individuals living in NJ who are entitled to educational assistance under US Department of Veterans Affairs' Vocational Rehabilitations and Employment Program.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-06-27 - Substituted by A5390 [S3789 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-S3789-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator VIN GOPAL
District 11 (Monmouth)
SYNOPSIS
Provides in-State tuition at public institutions of higher education to individuals living in NJ who are entitled to educational assistance under US Department of Veterans Affairs' Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning tuition for certain servicemembers at public institutions of higher education and amending P.L.2015, c.32.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 2 of P.L.2015, c.32 (C.18A:62-4.1b) is amended to read as follows:
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:
(1) an individual who is entitled to educational assistance under provisions of the federal "Post-9/11 Educational Assistance" program (38 U.S.C. s.3311(b)(9) or 3319) by virtue of such individual's relationship to a veteran ; and
(2) an individual who is entitled to educational assistance under provisions of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs' "Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program" (38 U.S.C. s.3100 et seq.) effective for courses, semesters, or terms that begin after March 1, 2019.
"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.).
(cf: P.L.2015, c.32, s.2)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
Under the "New Jersey Tuition Equality for America's Military (NJTEAM) Act," P.L.2015, c.32, certain veterans who live in New Jersey and attend a public institution of higher education are eligible for in-State tuition rates regardless of the veteran's state of residence. The NJTEAM Act also extends in-State tuition eligibility to certain other "covered individuals" such as the veteran's spouse or child. This bill expands the definition of a "covered individual" under the NJTEAM Act to also provide in-State tuition eligibility to individuals who are entitled to educational assistance under the United States Department of Veterans Affairs' "Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program" (38 U.S.C. s.3100 et seq.) effective for courses, semesters, or terms that begin after March 1, 2019.
The provisions of this bill conform with a recent federal law, section 301 of Public Law No. 115-251, which provides that individuals using educational assistance under the Department of Veterans Affairs' "Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program" who live in the state must be charged the in-state tuition rate at a public institution of higher education.
