NJ Military Leave Policy

Military Leave, Academic Credit, and Tuition Refunds - Undergraduate and Graduate Students

William Paterson University supports its students who are called to partial or full mobilization for State or Federal active duty as a member of the National Guard or a Reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States. If you are going to be absent from your classes for short or long period of time  due to military orders/training please bring or send us the  a copy of the military orders to the office of Veteran and Military Affairs. Upon receiving, the office shall promptly contact the appropriate offices and professors to assist you as well as protect and safeguard your status as WP students.

William Paterson University of New Jersey, will act in accordance with State Law N.J.S.A. 18A:62-4.2, which sets forth the options available to a student at a New Jersey public institution of higher education who is unable to complete a course because the student is called to partial or full mobilization for State or federal active duty as a member of the National Guard or a Reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States with respect to the student's grade for the course and the availability of refunds.

  1.  A student who has completed at least eight weeks of attendance in a course may choose to:

(1) receive a letter grade; or

(2) receive a grade of pass or fail; or

(3) receive a grade of incomplete; or

(4) withdraw from the course.

  1. A student who has completed less than eight weeks of attendance in a course may choose to:

(1) receive a grade of incomplete; or

(2) withdraw from the course.

  1. A letter grade or a grade of pass shall only be awarded if, in the opinion of the faculty member teaching the course, the student has completed sufficient work, and there is sufficient evidence of progress toward meeting the requirements of the course, to justify the grade.
  2. A grade of incomplete shall remain valid for a period of one year after the student returns to the New Jersey public institution of higher education.
  3. A student who chooses to accept a grade of pass or fail may, within one year after returning to the New Jersey public institution of higher education, receive a letter grade for the course by completing the work required for the course, in which case the letter grade shall replace the pass or fail grade as the student's grade for the course.
  4. A student who chooses to withdraw from a course shall receive a full refund of tuition and fees attributable to that course.
  5. A student who has paid amounts for room, board or fees shall, except as provided in subsection F of this section, receive a refund of that portion of those amounts attributable to the time period during which the student did not use the services for which payment was made.
  6. Any refund payable to a student who is a financial aid recipient shall be subject to the applicable State and federal regulations regarding refunds.

Bill of Rights - All military students have basic rights to satisfactory college marketing, admissions, and student services practices, including the right to:

  • Accurate information about a school's programs, requirements, accreditation, and its potential impact on course transferability.
  • Access basic college/university information and fees without disclosure of student personal information.
  • Education planning and career guidance without high-pressure registration and enrollment efforts from institutions.
  • A clear and complete explanation of course/program enrollment procedures and all resulting financial obligations.
  • Explore, without coercion, all financial aid options before signing up for student loans or other financial assistance.
  • Accurate scholarship information free of misleading ‘scholarship’ offers based on military tuition assistance.
  • Appropriate academic screening and course placement based on student readiness.
  • Appropriate, accessible academic and student support services.
  • Clearly defined institutional “drop/add” and withdrawal policies and procedures, including information about the impact of military duties (e.g. mobilization, activation, temporary duty assignments) on their academic standing and financial responsibilities.
  • Clearly defined grievance/appeals processes.