School defers tuition for Coast Guard students amid shutdown

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - A New Jersey university is deferring tuition payments for Coast Guard students who are affected by the government affected.

Thomas Edison State University announced Monday its students who are Coast Guard members won't have to pay until tuition assistance is available again.

The school has 135 active-duty Coast Guard students, with 27 registered for the February term.

Last week the Coast Guard announced it would suspend tuition assistance during the government shutdown.

The shutdown affects members of the Coast Guard because their tuition assistance is funded through the Department of Homeland Security.

Students who are members of other military branches are funded by the Department of Defense and aren't affected by the shutdown.