Determining Veterans Eligibility

In compliance with federal and state laws, all military students living in New Jersey (active and separated) are exempt from needing to establish the college’s residency requirements, and are eligible for lower tuition rates, depending upon where they live in New Jersey.

• You may be eligible if you served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty (excluding entry-level and skill training) after September 10, 2001.
• You may be eligible if you were discharged due to a service-connected disability after serving at least 30 continuous days on active duty after September 10, 2001.

You may be eligible if you served on active duty and meet certain conditions. Note: You do not have to be on active duty to apply for benefits under this program. You must meet any one of the following conditions:

• You first entered service on or after July 1, 1985, and you didn’t decline this benefit at your initial entry into service (or)
  • You entered service (or agreed to the delayed entry) before January 1, 1977, and you have educational assistance entitlement remaining under the Vietnam Era GI Bill® (also known as “Chapter 34”) (or)
• You were voluntarily separated under the Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) or Special Separation Benefit (SB) programs and had your military pay reduced by $1,200 (or)
• You were involuntarily separated from active duty after February 2, 1991 (or)
• You were on active duty and participant in the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Education Assistance Program (VEAP) program on or before October 9, 1996, or you first entered the National Guard under title 32, US Code between July 1, 1985, and November 28, 1989, you elected chapter 30 benefits between October 9, 1996, and October 8, 1997, and you paid $1,200 (or)
• You were on active duty and eligible for VEAP benefits on October 9, 1996, you elected Chapter 30 benefits between November 1, 2000, and October 31, 2001, and you paid $2,700.

You may be eligible if you are a member of the Selected Reserve and meet certain requirements, including a 6-year commitment.

You may be eligible if you are a member of the Ready Reserve and were called or ordered to active service to support a contingency operation for at least 90 consecutive days on or after September 11, 2001.

• You may be eligible if your service began on or after January 1, 1977, and before July 1, 1985, and you contributed to a VEAP account.
• You may be eligible if your service began on or after November 30, 1980, and before October 1, 1981, and your branch of service paid contributions into your VEAP account.

You may be eligible if you served in the armed forces during World War II or thereafter if all of the following conditions are met:

• You received a service-connected disability while on active service entitling you to compensation (at least 10% as rated by the VA).
• You have been discharged or released under other than dishonorable conditions (and)
• The Veterans Administration determines a need for vocational rehabilitation to overcome the handicap.

Eligibility is for 12 years following discharge. Certain circumstances warrant an extension as determined by the VA.

Generally eligible are survivors of deceased veterans, permanently and totally (100%) disabled veterans, as a result of a service-connected disability, or an individual on active duty who has been listed for a total of more than 90 days as missing in actions. Other categories may apply.

• In cooperation with the New Jersey Legislature, County College of Morris will grant tuition-free enrollment up to fifteen credits to certain members of the New Jersey National Guard and their surviving spouse and their children.
• Eligible students must have a satisfactory grade point average.
• Each Guard member must apply for all available financial aid.
• Each Guard member must submit a Commander’s Certificate (letter of eligibility) to the Veteran Affairs Representative each semester.

The state of New Jersey offers two tuition aid programs for Vietnam-era Veterans. For both of these programs, there is an October 1st deadline for the Fall semester and a March 1st deadline for the Spring semester.

• Veterans Tuition Credit Program (VTCP) – Open to Veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States who served on active duty between December 31, 1960, and May 7, 1975. Veteran students must be legal residents of the State of New Jersey. This program pays a maximum of $400.00 annually for full-time attendance and $200.00 for half-time attendance.
• Vietnam Veterans Tuition Aid Program (VVTAP) – For veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States who served in Southeast Asia in the Vietnam conflict and received the Vietnam Service Ribbon or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.