This bill amends current law to allow members of the New Jersey National Guard to transfer a portion of their tuition benefits to their spouse or dependent child. Specifically, it permits a member to transfer 50 percent of their tuition benefit to a dependent child or 100 percent to a spouse. The eligibility criteria for the spouse or child include being accepted and enrolled in a course of undergraduate or graduate study at a public institution of higher education and having applied for all available state and federal student grants and scholarships. Importantly, the bill stipulates that a member can only transfer the benefit to one individual.

Additionally, the bill outlines the tuition benefits for the transferred amounts: a spouse can receive up to 16 credits per semester tuition-free, while a dependent child can receive up to eight credits per semester tuition-free. The bill also includes provisions for the state to reimburse public institutions for the tuition costs incurred by the spouse or dependent child, ensuring that these costs are covered to the extent they are not already paid through federal tuition benefits. This legislation aims to enhance educational opportunities for the families of National Guard members while recognizing their service.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:62-24