New Jersey Assembly Bill A3128

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/22
• Refer: 3/7/22

Caption

Provides tuition benefits at public institutions of higher education to New Jersey residents who are members of reserve component of Armed Forces of United States.

Impact

By broadening the scope of eligibility for tuition benefits, A3128 directly enhances the educational opportunities for service members and their families, ensuring they have access to higher education without the burden of tuition fees. This amendment signifies a strong commitment on the part of the New Jersey government to recognize the sacrifices made by military personnel and their families. Importantly, the bill requires that beneficiaries—children or spouses—must be residents of New Jersey to qualify for these benefits, which is aimed at supporting local communities.

Summary

Assembly Bill A3128 aims to extend tuition benefits at public institutions of higher education in New Jersey to residents who are members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States, as well as to certain children and surviving spouses of these members. The bill modifies existing laws that already provide tuition benefits to members of the New Jersey National Guard to now include members of the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Reserve, Air Force Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve. The intention is to offer similar educational support to those who have also served in these capacities.

Contention

While the bill has generally received support from advocates for veterans and military families, there may be discussions around funding and the impact on state budgets. Critics could raise concerns about the ability of public institutions to absorb the potential influx of students benefiting from this program without compromising the quality of education or increasing the financial burden on taxpayers. Additionally, there may be debates regarding how well these benefits address the varied educational needs of military families compared to those of civilian students.