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 transfer include that the spouse or dependent child must be accepted and enrolled in a course of study at a public institution of higher education and must apply for all available state and federal student grants and scholarships. Additionally, the bill stipulates that a member can only transfer the benefit to one individual.

The bill also outlines the tuition benefits for the recipients: 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 state will reimburse public institutions for the tuition costs incurred by both the member and the transferred benefits to the spouse or dependent child, provided these costs are not covered by 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