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New Student Information
Matriculated students and national & international exchange students are required to comply with pre-enrollment health requirements. This includes undergraduate and graduate/ certification students who have attended TCNJ in the past. Completed health forms are a condition of enrollment, attendance and housing. To avoid late fees, state penalty fines, registration holds and housing bans, the Health Form must be received in Health Services by the due date.
Alumni who are re-entering TCNJ as graduate students are expected to submit the current Health Form.
Due Dates for the Health Form to be submitted to Student Health Services:
- Students coming to the EOF Summer Program - June 16, 2008
- Students starting this Fall, 2008- July 18, 2008
- Students starting in the Spring Semester, 2009- January 9, 2009
- Students starting in the Summer, 2009- May 12, 2009
CLICK HERE 
TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THE TCNJ HEALTH FORM.
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download) to open this file. If you encounter any problem or have a question, please e-mail us at hlthserv@tcnj.edu or call us at 609-771-2483.
Return completed Health Form by mail (DO NOT FAX) to:
The College of New Jersey
Student Health Services
P.O. Box 7718
Ewing, NJ 08628
Some students have reported that they are unable to schedule appointments for physicals until after the deadline. When this happens, students may request an extension. However, the Health Form must be received as soon as possible and prior to arrival in order to secure housing and registration.
The Health Form must be completed in full.
Please send all pages of the Health Form together and not one page at a time.
Please mail your own health forms and do not leave them at medical offices for mailing. It is recommended that you keep a copy of your Health Form for your permanent records.
Tips for finding old immunization records: CLICK HERE.
Exemptions From Immunization Permitted by New Jersey State Law:
- AGE: Students born prior to 1/1/57 are exempt from the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccination requirement. However, age does not exempt you from any other TCNJ health requirement.
- MEDICAL: Students are not required to have any vaccinations which are medically contraindicated. In order to apply for a medical exemption, the student must provide Health Services with a written statement currently dated and signed by the student's health care provider. The request for exemption will be reviewed by the Associate Director of Health Services and a determination will be made within 2 weeks. Students will be notified by E-Mail of the determination. It is imperative that students apply for exemptions at least 4 weeks before the Health Form due date to avoid penalties and fines while their exemption is being reviewed. The written statement must include the following:
- the type of vaccine in question
- the specific period of time that the vaccine is contraindicated
- the reason(s) for the medical contraindication as enumerated by the most recent recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the United States Health Service.
- RELIGIOUS: A student will be exempted from mandatory vaccination(s) if the student (not the parent) submits a currently dated, signed written statement to Health Services explaining how the administration of the particular vaccine conflicts with BONA FIDE religious tenets and beliefs. Exemptions are not given in N.J. for philosophical or moral objections to immunization. The request for exemption will be reviewed by the Associate Director of Health Services and a determination will be made within 2 weeks. Students will be notified by E-Mail of the determination. It is imperative that students apply for exemptions at least 4 weeks before the Health Form due date to avoid penalties and fines while their exemption is being reviewed.
Concerns About Vaccines: Some students have not had the vaccinations required to attend TCNJ and express concern about getting these vaccines. The following websites may help address those concerns:
- Vaccine Safety Information (Immunization Action Coalition)
- Vaccine Safety Concerns (Centers for Disease Control)
- Evaluating Information About Vaccines on the Internet (National Network for Immunization Information)
Chickenpox: Although immunity to chickenpox is not required to attend TCNJ, it is strongly advised that students with no history or a questionable history of having chickenpox talk to their healthcare provider about immunity testing. Should this simple blood test show that the student is not immune to chickenpox, vaccination with two (2) doses of varicella is needed. Note that students with chickenpox pose a health risk to themselves and the campus community. They are required to leave campus for a minimum of 7 days.
RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS
Not able to obtain your meningococcal meningitis vaccination at home?
On freshman move-in day, August 21, 2008, we will be giving meningitis vaccinations in Health Services from 9am to 3:30pm on a pre-order, pre-pay basis. Order your dose of vaccine today by completing the TCNJ INCOMING STUDENT MENINGITIS VACCINE ORDER FORM - click here.
It is recommended that you bring basic health supplies and over-the-counter medicines so that you are prepared to handle minor illnesses and injuries while you're away from home. Use a heating pad for cramps? Bring it! Prone to allergies in the Spring? Bring your allergy medicine!
Some over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies are available on campus at the Convenience Store and Bookstore.
If you are covered by your parent's health insurance & prescription plans, ask your parent to request an additional insurance & prescription card for you before you leave for college. Keep this card(s) in your wallet.
Purchase a thermometer and bring it with you. Should you become ill, you will need to monitor your temperature.
Due to the communal nature of campus living, chances are good that you will find yourself beset with minor upper respiratory illnesses throughout the year. Bring a supply of the symptom-reliever medicines you take at home when ill such as Sudafed, Tylenol, Advil, nasal decongestant spray, cough medicine, etc. Learn how to use these medications wisely. Learn to recognize ailments needing self-care and those needing medical intervention.
Use this list as a packing reminder:
- Fever & pain reducers such as Acetaminopen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin), or Naproxen (Aleve) to treat pain, fever and headache.
- Bandaids
- Antibiotic ointment such as Bacitracin, Neosporin, Triple Antibiotic ointment
- Thermometer (extremely important!)
- All health insurance & prescription cards and know how they work (extremely important!)
- Antacids such as TUMS and Maalox for heartburn or stomach distress
- Antihistamines such as Claritin, Allegra, Chlortrimetron, and Benadryl to relieve allergy symptoms and itching.
- Anti-itch creams such a hydrocortisone, calamine, and domeboro help relieve minor rashes & itching. Antifungal creams are good to have on hand for students prone to ringworm and jock-itch.
- Cough & cold medicine, cough drops and throat lozenges to relieve symptoms associated with the common cold.
- Decongestants to help relieve stuffy noses and sinus pressure associated with the common cold and allergies. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is generally a good choice and can be obtained from your pharmacist.
- Heating pad to help relieve discomfort associated with muscle aches & pains, menstrual cramps and backache from sitting too long in front of that computer. Don't ever fall asleep with a heating pad on.
- Saline nasal spray to help moisturize dry and irritated nasal passages from the cold or exposure to non-humidified winter air
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
Parent's Guide to Preparing Teens for the College Years - Society for Adolescent Medicine
A Word About ADA - 504 Plans - IEPs
If you have a documented disability under ADA and/or a 504 Plan or an IEP, you must identify with the Office of Differing Ability Services if you need support at TCNJ. Click here for more information.
MEDICAL PARKING APPLICATION:
FRESHMAN RESIDENTIAL PARKING EXCEPTION:
Subject to space availability, residential freshman who demonstrate a compelling medical need for personal transportation to attend frequent scheduled medical, psychological or dental appointments may qualify for a parking exception. Appointments must be scheduled at least weekly. To apply:
- Complete the Medical Parking Request form.
- Have your healthcare provider complete the Medical Parking Application for Residential Freshman form.
Both forms must be submitted to Student Health Services. Requests are reviewed and approved by the Associate Director of Student Health Services within 48 hours of receipt.
CLOSER PARKING (not Handicapped Parking):
Disabled residential & commuter students can apply for "closer" parking to classes and residence halls. To apply:
- Complete the Medical Parking Request form
- Obtain a note signed by your healthcare provider containing the following information:
- Diagnosis/nature of your disability
- Reason(s) why closer parking to classes/residence hall is needed
- The length of time closer parking is needed
- Must be on "office letterhead"
*TCNJ cannot approve handicapped parking.
- Permanently disabled individuals: Application to the State of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission for handicapped plates/placards. For detailed information, go to www.state.nj.us/mvc/
- Temporarily disabled individuals: Application to the Ewing Township Police Department. Call 609-882-1313 for information.
Submit requests to Student Health Services BEFORE bringing your vehicle to campus. All necessary documentation must accompany original request. Requests are reviewed by the Associate Director of Student Health Services (or designee) within 48 hours of receipt. Students will be notified of decision by telephone.
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