Application Process for Military and Veteran Students
Who is a Military/Veteran Applicant?
At Montclair State University a military or veteran student is anyone who is a United States veteran and/or retired military personnel, regardless of age, who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. All active (full-time) military personnel and current members of the National Guard or Reserve should also complete a Military/Veteran Student Application.
Learn more about our Veteran and Military Resource Office.
Legislation Concerning Military and Veteran Applicants
S-849 “New Jersey Tuition Equality for America’s Military (NJTEAM) Act” passed the Senate Military and Veteran’s Affairs Committee.
S-822, Requiring public institutions of higher education to waive or reimburse application fees and transcript fees for veterans and members of the military, passed the Senate Military and Veteran’s Affairs Committee.
There are two types of Veteran/Military Applicants:
Military/Veteran Freshman
- Eligible veterans and military personnel who have not attended a regionally accredited college or university (Regardless of ACE Credits).
Military/Veteran Transfer
- Eligible veterans and military personnel who have attended a regionally accredited college or university after graduating from high school, regardless of academic progress.
Army ROTC
Army ROTC is a leadership program that allows cadets to both attend college as a regular student, and train to commission as an Officer in the US Army upon graduation.
Military/Veteran Application Requirements
Freshmen
In order to be considered for Military/Veteran Freshman admission to Montclair State University, you will need to submit:
Submit your application online. Make sure to choose the “Veteran/Military Freshman” Application Type. The application fee is waived for all Veteran/Military applicants.
There are two ways to apply:
or 
Submit your official high school transcript or GED scores (to be sent by your counselor directly to Montclair State).
Submit a personal statement describing your academic goals and indicating why you selected Montclair State.
Freshman Prompt:
Explain your reasons for seeking admission to Montclair State University, including what you believe are your academic strengths and interests. Be sure to explain any situations that may have had an impact, either positively or negatively, on your academic record. Students interested in sending a resume of extracurricular activities, volunteer work, internships, etc. can include it in the same document as their essay.
Active (full-time) military personnel and current members of the National Guard or Reserve, who are not veterans, must provide a copy of your military identification card. Veterans and retired military personnel must provide a copy of your DD 214 (Member 4 Copy) with a discharge character under conditions other than dishonorable.
If the DD 214 is not available at the time of application, you may provide a copy of your discharge orders, a copy of your current orders, or other official paperwork indicating your ETS (estimated termination of service) date or EAS (end of active service) date. A front and back copy of your military ID is also acceptable.
The DD 214 (Member 4 Copy) must be submitted prior to the end of your first semester of enrollment.
Official SAT or ACT scores are optional. (Students submitting ACT scores, only, must also take the optional writing portion or the scores will be deemed incomplete for the purpose of making an admissions decision.) To send your scores directly to Montclair State, indicate our CEEB Code (002520) in the designated area of the SAT or ACT form.
Additional supporting documentation such as your resume, ACE transcript, awards, certificates, etc. may be submitted for review.
Additionally, if you are applying to certain College of the Arts majors, an audition, interview, or portfolio review is required. Majors that require an additional process include Animation and Illustration, Dance, Filmmaking, Music, Music Therapy, Musical Theatre, Product Design, Theatre, and Visual Communication Design.
Links to College of the Arts Admission Guidelines and Audition/Interview/Portfolio Review dates can be found here: Admission to the College of the Arts
Please send all Admissions materials to:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Montclair State University
1 Normal Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07043
Military/Veteran Freshman Admission Standards
As a military/veteran student applicant, your application will be considered based on a holistic review of the required credentials. Please be advised that military/veteran students who do not meet our typical standards for freshman admission may be asked to submit additional information such as letters of recommendation. Also, all veterans and military personnel are encouraged to submit an American Council on Education (ACE) transcript, if available.
As a courtesy to our military/veteran students, you will be permitted to defer your application to a future semester without penalty should circumstances prevent you from attending during the semester to which you initially applied.
Military/veteran students wishing to apply after stated deadlines should contact Ken Miyazawa, Pre-Enrollment Specialist for Students, at miyazawake@elgatsby.net to discuss their options.
Transfer
In order to be considered for Military/Veteran Transfer admission to Montclair State University, you will need to submit:
Submit your application online. Make sure to choose “Transfer” student type and “Veteran/Military” Application Type. The application fee is waived for all Veteran/Military applicants.
Submit official college transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (to be sent by the institution directly to Montclair State). Note: If you have less than 24 completed college credits, you must submit your high school transcript and GED scores if applicable. SAT or ACT scores are optional.
You may submit an optional Personal Statement describing your academic goals and indicating why you selected Montclair State. You can submit this via your Montclair State application account under “supplemental items.”
Transfer Student Prompt:
Please provide a brief description of your educational goals. Be sure to explain any discrepancies that may be reflected on your transcript.
You must submit proof of veteran or military status. Active (full-time) military personnel and current members of the National Guard or Reserve, who are not veterans, must provide a copy of your military identification card. Veterans and retired military personnel must provide a copy of your DD 214(Member 4 Copy) with a discharge character other than dishonorable.
If the DD 214 (Membr 4 Copy) is not available at the time of application, you may provide a copy of your discharge orders, a copy of your current orders, or other official paperwork indicating your ETS (estimated termination of service) date or EAS (end of active service) date. A front and back copy of your military ID is also acceptable.
The DD 214(Member 4 Copy) must be submitted prior to the end of your first semester of enrollment.
Additional supporting documentation such as your resume, ACE transcript, awards, certificates, etc. (Encouraged, but not required)
If you are applying for any of the programs in the College of the Arts (such as Fine Arts, Music, Theatre, Dance, Communication Studies or Broadcasting), you are required to complete an interview, audition or portfolio review in order to be considered for admission into these programs. However, if you are applying for Fashion Studies or Art History, no interview, audition or portfolio review is required.
Links to College of the Arts Admission Guidelines and Audition/Interview/Portfolio Review dates can be found here: Admission to the College of the Arts
Please send all admissions materials to:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Montclair State University
1 Normal Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07043
Military/Veteran Transfer Admission Standards
As a military/veteran student applicant, your application will be considered based on a holistic review of the required credentials. Please be advised that military/veteran students who do not meet our typical standards for transfer admission may be asked to submit information such as letters of recommendation. Also, all veterans and military personnel are encouraged to submit an American Council on Education (ACE) transcript, if available.
As a courtesy to our military/veteran students, you will be permitted to defer your application to a future semester without penalty, should circumstances prevent you from attending during the semester in which you initially applied.
Military/veteran students wishing to apply after stated deadlines should contact Ken Miyazawa, Pre-Enrollment Specialist for Students, at miyazawake@elgatsby.net to discuss their options.