Oroho Bill to Extend Tuition Aid to Veterans’ Children & Spouses Heads to Governor

Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho to extend in-state tuition aid to veterans’ spouses, surviving spouses, and dependents has passed the New Jersey Senate.

“Our veterans make enormous sacrifices to protect the freedoms we all hold dear, and so do the children and spouses they leave behind. We have a responsibility to not only help those who have served our country, but to extend that same gesture of gratitude to their families as well,” Senator Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) said.

“This bill will help our most patriotic residents pave a pathway for a brighter future. It’s the least we can do to honor all those who have served – and the families that serve alongside them here, in the state they are proud to call home,” Oroho added.

Under current law – the Post 9/11 GI bill – only dependents of veterans who had served for at least 10 years, or spouses and children of service members who die in the line of duty are eligible for in-state tuition aid.

Senator Oroho’s legislation, S-3789 amends the 2015 “NJTEAM Act” to also extend in-state tuition to anyone covered under the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs “Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Program,” including veterans’ dependents ages 14 to 31, as well as veterans’ spouses and surviving spouses.

The identical Assembly version of the legislation, A-5390, passed the Assembly on June 20, 2019. The legislation now heads to the Governor’s desk for final approval. If signed into law, the bill would take effect immediately.

A copy of the legislation can be found here.