Military Tuition Assistance

There are many opportunities for active military members, veterans, and their families to secure tuition assistance.  These opportunities include federal student aid, Montgomery GI Bill Benefits, National Guard Free Tuition Program, and the Gloucester County Veterans Scholarship program. Please see below for more details.

The admissions process for military students follows the schedule for new students including Placement Tests and Registration.

The first step for all military students is to follow RCSJ’s Steps to Enroll.

Federal Student Aid 

Veterans benefits students who need information regarding their Montgomery GI Bill Benefits need to log on to the VA website and follow the prompts to Education Benefits. This website will provide Chapters 31, 33, 35, 1606 and 1607 eligibility requirements. If you have any questions regarding these programs and benefits, please call 856-464-5239 for the Gloucester campus and 856-200-4763 for the Cumberland campus or email [email protected].

National Guard Free Tuition Program

New applicants for the National Guard Free Tuition Program should complete their Financial Aid paperwork five to seven weeks before actual registration. All National Guard students must submit an original Commander’s Letter of Certification each time they register for classes. This letter must be dated no more than 60 days before the date of registration for courses. All applicants must submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) annually. In addition, National Guard students must declare a major of study (undecided is not acceptable) and must maintain a 2.00 grade point average. All students in the program must wait until late registration to register for courses. Late registration dates are available in the Student Development Office. National Guard students may submit appropriate documents for evaluation for the possible award of credits for military training. Contact the Office of Veterans Affairs for more information.

Gloucester County Veterans Scholarship Program

RCSJ and the RCSJ Foundation have partnered to establish the Gloucester County Veteran Scholarship Program (GCVSP), an initiative created to honor and support our veterans by providing a quality education at an affordable cost.

GCVSP serves as a “last dollar” resource to provide veterans with a tuition and fees free education. This scholarship bridges the gap between veteran benefits, financial aid or scholarships received and any remaining balance of tuition and fees.

Student Eligibility 

To be eligible, veterans must: 

  • Be a resident of Gloucester County 
  • Be a veteran in any branch of the U.S. military 
  • Be honorably discharged (as indicated on VA DD-214, member 4) 
  • Apply for all other tuition aid first, including: VA benefits, federal and state grants, institutional scholarships and National Guard/ unemployment tuition waivers 
  • Satisfy all requests for additional information from RCSJ and the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) 
  • Be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress 
  • Pursue an associate degree program 
  • Not be in default or owe on federal grants or loans 

Scholarship Details 

  • Provides up to four consecutive fall and spring semesters (does not cover winter and summer terms) 
  • Covers tuition and fees for the first associate degree or certificate earned at RCSJ 
  • Includes only courses required for the program of study 
  • Provides for the veteran; does not cover spouse or dependents 
  • Deployed Active Duty veterans remain eligible for the GCVSP upon return on a case-by-case basis; the number of semesters will be amended by the College 
  • Covers remaining account balance of tuition and fees after all other sources of aid are applied 
  • Excludes the cost of non-educational fees such as books, late payment fees, library fees or other costs not directly associated with courses, required technology such as laptops and wireless access in addition to any past due balances owed RCSJ 
  • Previously paid out-of-pocket expenses for tuition and tuition-related needs will not be reimbursed