New Jersey National Guard

    

VA Benefits

Eligibility

Any member of the New Jersey National Guard shall be permitted to attend regularly scheduled courses and receive up to 16 credits per semester tuition free provided:

  • The member has completed Initial Active Duty Training (IADT)
  • The member is an active drilling member in good standing with their New Jersey National Guard unit of assignment
  • The member has been accepted to pursue a course of undergraduate or graduate study and is enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student in good standing at that institution
  • Each year the member must apply for Financial Aid, either through the institution’s Financial Aid Office or online at www.fafsa.ed.gov to receive all entitled state and federal student grants and scholarships

How the NJNGTP works

  • Financial Aid - If financial aid is received by a student in the form of a grant or scholarship, the service member pays for the tuition costs with these funds first
  • Academic Standards - Satisfactory academic progress must be maintained. Any student, whether full or part-time, must maintain the grade point average established by their host institution college. These guidelines are published in the Academic Catalog
  • Obtain a Form 621-2-R “Commander’s Certificate” every semester.  This is issued by your unit and must be signed by your Commander and the National Guard member
  • Apply for Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill (if eligible) – not required if transferred to dependents
  • With a 6 year obligation, you may also apply for Chapter 1606, Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) if you are not eligible for Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill. However, you may not use the NJNGTP with Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
  • Apply for financial aid annually using FAFSA www.fafsa.ed.gov, even if you feel you may not be eligible.  Financial aid application should be made as soon as possible after January 1st. FAFSA should be completed no later than the priority deadline of March 15th.
  • Submit your Commander's Certificate at the time of registration and it must be dated within the last 60 days

Application of Payment

  • NJNGTP may be used when PELL and/or TAG do not pay for the entire tuition balance due.
  • If you are found eligible for the federal Pell grant and New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant (TAG), and the combination of the Pell and the TAG is equal to or greater than your tuition cost, then you may not use the NJNGTP that semester because your tuition is being paid for by federal and state grant money
  • If you are found eligible for Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill, the percent you are eligible for will be paid toward your fees by the VA and you will be responsible for the remainder of the fees. The percent you are eligible for will also be paid toward your tuition by the VA, and the remainder of the tuition will be waived.
  • Final amount due is subject to change based on your completed Financial Aid award, per Federal regulations
  • Chapter 33 Benefits, TAG, Pell, and tuition specific scholarships will be applied to tuition first. Any remaining tuition, if there is any, will be waived after these sources are applied. Any non-tuition specific scholarships will be applied after the NJNGTP Waiver.

How to use the benefit at NJIT

  1. Complete a your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every academic year.
  2. Obtain the Commander’s Certificate with all signatures, dated within 60 days of registration
  3. Complete a VA & Military Benefit Request; upload your signed Commander's Certificate and/or Certificate of Eligibility if you are using Chapter 1606 or Chapter 33 
  4. Deadline to submit documents is at the time of registration

**Be sure to obtain your Commander’s Certificate at your drill before registration. The Commander’s Certificate is good for 60 days from Commander’s signature date.

**Any balance not waived or covered by Financial Aid or other educational benefits is the responsibility of the student.