Veterans and Active Military

Welcome

Welcome to UCNJ. Thank you for your service to our Country. We strive to provide Veterans, Active-Duty Military and members of the National Guard or Reserve the best possible support services to help meet your educational goals. We also welcome military family members who also qualify for benefits.

Military service members should first seek out approval from the Educational Services Officer (ESO) and/or their education counselor within the Military Service prior to enrolling. To find out more about VA education and training benefits visit http://www.va.gov/education/

Air Force/Army ROTC

UCNJ, Rutgers – The State University of New Jersey, and Seton Hall University have an agreement permitting male and female students of UCNJ to cross-enroll in the Air Force ROTC program. Qualified students may complete the first two years of the four-year program on a cross-enrollment basis and the final two years by attending an institution sponsoring Air Force ROTC. Students who successfully complete the four-year program earn commissions as second lieutenants. For further information, contact the Admissions Office of Rutgers – The State University of New Jersey or Seton Hall University.

New Jersey National Guard Waivers

  • The National Guard Waiver covers the cost of tuition only up to a maximum of 16 credits/hours per semester. Students are responsible for the payment of all other charges.
  • The program requires that the student provide a Commander’s Certificate of Eligibility from their unit’s authorized representative.
  • Students desiring to utilize the National Guard Waiver are required to complete the application process for Financial Aid. (See the Financial Aid section for additional details.) Students who are eligible for aid must exhaust all such aid prior to utilizing a National Guard Waiver.
  • Students must submit the appropriate forms at the time of registration including verification that they have completed the Financial Aid application process.

Readmission for Students Called to Active Duty

UCNJ is committed to supporting our students who are called to active duty service.

If you are active, please email your orders to the School Certifying Official at veterans@big5vn.com to assist in your transition from UCNJ to active duty.

UCNJ follows the regulation 34 C.F.R. 668.18 regarding readmissions requirements for returning Services members seeking readmission to a program that was interrupted due to a Military service obligation.

UCNJ is an open access institution. Service members and reservists may be readmitted to a program if they are temporarily unable to attend class or must suspend their studies due to service requirements.

UCNJ allows Service members and reservists to be readmitted to programs, the first semester the course is offered after their return.

The 12 steps outlined below are the recommended sequence of enrollment.

1. Submit Application

Welcome to UCNJ’s admissions process. Click the button below to start your application.

Begin Application

Your application may take a few days to be processed. In the meantime, you may continue to the instructions of document submission and applying for Financial Aid.

Submit the following documents to the Admissions Department on the Cranford, Elizabeth or Plainfield campuses:

  • Submit official transcripts from every college you attended, if applicable
  • Submit immunization records


Official Documents Should Be Mailed to the Following Address:
UCNJ
Office of Admissions
1033 Springfield Ave
Cranford, NJ 07016

2. Schedule Appointment

  • Please contact veterans@big5vn.com to schedule an appointment with our Veterans Office to discuss degree goals, assess eligibility for GI bill benefits and review previous college and military transcripts

3. Apply for the GI Bill®

4. Apply for Financial Aid

  • Complete your FAFSA-Free Application for Federal Student Aid www.fafsa.gov/. UCNJ’s school code is 002643
  • Check your UCNJ email to confirm receipt of your FAFSA

5. Create your College Account

  • Check the email account that you provided in your application for instructions, username, and password

6. Take the Directed Self Placement Questionnaire if required

7. Attend Orientation

  • Orientation is required for all first-time, full-time students entering the college during Fall or Spring.

8. Register for Classes

  • Steps before registration
  • Steps at registration
    • Login in and register (after orientation)
    • Review and print your class schedule from your College account
  • Steps after registration
    • Check your college email and the college website often for class cancellations
    • Schedule changes
      • You can add classes until the last day of registration
      • You will not be charged for classes dropped prior to the start of the semester
      • Classes dropped after the start of the semester are subject to the College’s refund policy

9. Schedule Appointment

  • Please contact veterans@big5vn.com to schedule an appointment to have classes certified with the VA and discuss payment options

10. Obtain your Student ID

Bring a copy of your class schedule and a picture ID

  • Cranford – Student Services Center, Student Development Building
  • Elizabeth – Student Services Center, Lessner Building
  • Plainfield – Student Services Area, Logos Building

11. Buy your Textbooks and Supplies

12. Go to your First Class

  • Refer to your class schedule

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

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