Advisory regarding Southern California wildfires

Advisory regarding Southern California wildfires

On behalf of everyone at Thomas Edison State University, we hope that students affected by the wildfires in Southern California remain safe. The University is offering accommodations to students affected by the wildfires:

  • Students who are directly impacted by the fires and who are currently registered in courses for the November 2024, December 2024 and January 2025 terms have the option of receiving a free eight-week course extension without mentor approval; or, a 100% tuition credit for their course(s) to a future term. Affected students should submit a Request for Course Extension Form or a Request for Course Withdrawal Form indicating “Southern California wildfires” as the reason for the request. Please note that TECEP exams in these terms cannot be extended, nor credited for tuition after the exam has been taken.
  • Impacted students who are currently on a course extension for the September 2024 and October 2024 terms can request a second eight-week extension on their current term at no additional cost.

Request an Accommodation: Students affected by the wildfire and evacuations who need an accommodation should contact the Office of the Registrar by email at registration@tesu.edu or by phone at 609-777-5680. Accommodation requests should be submitted by January 24th. Requests after that date can be accommodated if the student provides documentation of the reason for the late request.

Determining New Jersey Residency

Determining New Jersey Residency for In-State Tuition Purposes

Thomas Edison State University determines residency pursuant to New Jersey Administrative Code 9A:5-1.1-1.2, which requires students to live in New Jersey for at least 12 months prior to enrollment in the University to be eligible for in-state tuition.

The Office of the Registrar is the University’s principle authority on residency determination for tuition purposes.

If you are undocumented and wish to apply for in-state tuition status under the New Jersey Dream Act, please complete the Request for Exemption from Out-of-State Tuition Application and Affidavit (PDF).

Students who are classified as nonresidents may petition for in-state residency to the Office of the Registrar. This is done by submitting an Application for State Residency Status (PDF), along with supporting documentation to:

Office of the Registrar
Thomas Edison State University
111 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ 08608

Examples of supporting documentation include:

  • Current New Jersey motor vehicle license indicating local address
  • Current New Jersey registration indicating local state address
  • New Jersey voter registration card
  • Notarized copy of marriage certificate (spouse)
  • Lease or copy of deed
  • Permanent resident card
  • Active-duty military ID

Students will be notified of their residency reclassification request within 10 business days of receipt of documentation. If student qualifies for the resident tuition rate, change will be applied to the subsequent year’s enrollment. Appeals would follow the University’s administrative appeal process.

Military Students and Residency for Tuition Purposes

Questions regarding residency determination for tuition purposes for active-duty military students, dependents and veterans should be referred to the Office of Military and Veteran Enrollment and Outreach.

Active U.S. military personnel and their dependents who attend Thomas Edison State University will be granted in-state rates regardless of their residency.

In accordance with section 702 of the Choice Act, effective July 1, 2015, all covered individuals living in New Jersey using the Post-9/11 (Chapter 33) and Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (Chapter 30) at Thomas Edison State University will be granted in state tuition rates regardless of their residency. Refer to Choice Act (PDF) for more information.