Extends eligibility for tuition benefit to dependents of members of United States Armed Forces who died while on active duty.

A4593

ASSEMBLY, No. 4593

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MARCH 10, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman� CAROL A. MURPHY

District 7 (Burlington)

SYNOPSIS

���� Extends eligibility for tuition benefit to dependents
of members of United States Armed Forces who died while on active duty.�

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act
concerning tuition assistance for dependents of certain
military members and amending N.J.S.18A:62-25 and supplementing chapter 62 of
Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� N.J.S.18A:62-25 is
amended to read as follows:

���� 18A:62-25.��� Any child or
surviving spouse of a member of the
Armed Forces of the United States or the

New Jersey National Guard who
[
heretofore
completed Initial Active Duty Training and was killed in the performance of his
duties
]

died
while on active duty
[
with
the New Jersey National Guard, or who hereafter completes Initial Active Duty
Training and is killed in the performance of his duties while a 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:

���� a.���� the child or spouse 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;

���� b.��� the child or spouse has
applied for all available State student grants and scholarships and all
available federal student grants and scholarships for which the child or spouse
is eligible;

���� c.���� the child or spouse has
applied for tuition benefits available through the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs for which the child or spouse 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

���� d.��� available classroom
space permits and tuition-paying students constitute the minimum number
required for the course.

(cf: P.L.2009, c.208, s.2)

���� 2.��� (New section)� Any
student who is eligible for the tuition benefit provided pursuant to N.J.S.18A:62-25
shall receive a monetary award equal to 10 percent of the cost of tuition at
the public institution of higher education at which the student is enrolled.�
This award shall be made available to the student for use on non-tuition
education costs, including but not limited to housing, dining, fees, or
supplies.

���� 3.��� This act shall take
effect immediately and shall first apply to the first full academic year
following the date of enactment.

STATEMENT

���� Under current law, the child
or surviving spouse of a member of the New Jersey National Guard who died while
on active duty may attend regularly-scheduled courses at any public institution
of higher education in this State and receive up to 16 credits per semester
tuition-free provided that certain conditions are met.� This bill extends the
tuition waiver benefit to the dependents of members of the Armed Forces of the
United States who died while on active duty.�

���� The bill further provides to
dependents of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the New
Jersey National Guard who died while on active duty a monetary award equal to
10 percent of the cost of tuition at the public institution of higher education
at which the student is enrolled.� This award will be made available to the
student for use on non-tuition education costs, including but not limited to
housing, dining, fees, or supplies.