Bill
Bill > S2424
NJ S2424
NJ S2424Prohibits public institution of higher education from charging tuition to student who is dependent child of veteran who died or is disabled as result of service-related injury.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill provides that the dependent child of a veteran who entered the United States Armed Forces in New Jersey or was a New Jersey resident upon entry into the United States Armed Forces, and either died as a result of a service-related injury or illness, is missing in action (MIA), or is totally and permanently disabled as a result of a service-related injury or illness as certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, is entitled to up to 60 credit hours tuition-free in a public institution of higher education associate degree program and up to 120 credit hours tuition-free in a public institution of higher education baccalaureate degree program provided that: (1) the dependent child has no federal veterans education benefits, or no federal veterans education benefits dedicated to the payment of tuition that exceed the amount of tuition free credit hours established in this act; (2) the dependent child is a New Jersey resident; (3) the dependent child meets the grade point average requirements of the institution's satisfactory academic progress policy in a degree program as determined by the institution's financial aid policy; (4) the dependent child has been accepted to pursue a course of undergraduate study and is enrolled as an undergraduate student in good standing at that institution; (5) the dependent child has applied for all available State student grants and scholarships and all available federal student grants and scholarships for which the dependent child is eligible; (6) the dependent child has applied for tuition benefits available through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for which the dependent child 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.); and (7) available classroom space permits and tuition-paying students constitute the minimum number required for the course. The bill provides that the State will reimburse each public institution of higher education for the costs of waiving tuition pursuant to the provisions of this act.
AI Summary
This bill ensures that the dependent child of a veteran who entered the U.S. Armed Forces in New Jersey or was a New Jersey resident at that time, and who subsequently died or became totally and permanently disabled due to a service-related injury or illness, or is missing in action (MIA), is eligible for tuition-free education at public institutions of higher education in New Jersey. Specifically, these students can receive up to 60 tuition-free credit hours for an associate degree program and up to 120 tuition-free credit hours for a baccalaureate degree program, provided they meet several conditions. These conditions include having no federal veterans education benefits that cover tuition beyond the specified credit hours, being a New Jersey resident, maintaining satisfactory academic progress as defined by the institution, being accepted and enrolled in good standing, having applied for all available state and federal grants and scholarships, and having applied for tuition benefits under the "Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008" (a federal law providing educational benefits to veterans and their families). Additionally, the availability of classroom space and the minimum number of tuition-paying students required for a course must be met. The state will then reimburse the public institutions for the tuition waived under this program.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S2424 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2500/2424_I1.HTM |
Loading...