Education (Higher Education) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3359: Directs Secretary of Higher Education to revoke proprietary school's license to award academic degrees if school fails to achieve certain minimum graduation rates.

This bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to revoke a for-profit college's license to award degrees if it fails to meet specific graduation rate targets. For four-year programs, schools must achieve a 75% six-year graduation rate for full-time students within six years of the bill's effective date; for two-year programs, a 75% three-year rate is required. Schools not meeting these targets by the deadline face automatic license revocation, though the Secretary may grant additional time if a school is making sufficient progress after five years. The law directly affects for-profit degree-granting colleges in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3420: Provides for expansion of social services supports at county colleges.

This bill requires New Jersey county colleges to collaborate with county social services boards and state agencies to expand access to social services for low-income students. It mandates colleges to work directly with social services representatives to help students apply for programs like SNAP, TANF, and childcare subsidies, and to streamline enrollment processes. The bill also directs colleges and workforce boards to partner with community organizations to identify unemployed residents who could benefit from college enrollment for career pathways. These provisions aim to connect students with existing support systems and improve access to education and workforce opportunities.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Early Childhood Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1782: Modifies Community College Opportunity Grant Program to permit adult students enrolled in postsecondary career and technical education programs to receive financial assistance.

This bill expands New Jersey's Community College Opportunity Grant Program to include adult students enrolled in career and technical education programs at county vocational schools. It directly affects adult learners seeking licenses or certifications through programs like nursing or culinary training, allowing them to receive financial aid covering tuition and approved fees not covered by other grants. Key provisions define "adult student" and amend eligibility to include these programs (requiring at least four months of enrollment), while maintaining income limits ($0-$65,000) and requiring students to apply for other aid first. The program remains administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, targeting career-focused education without changing existing grant structures.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 974: Concerns radon testing in certain schools and institutions of higher education.

This bill requires all public schools, private schools, and institutions of higher education in New Jersey to test their buildings for radon gas at least once every five years. Buildings tested within the five years before the bill's effective date must be retested within five years of that prior test; untested buildings must be tested within 60 days of the bill's effective date. School administrators (like principals or college leaders) must work with environmental officials to determine testing locations, methods, and how results are shared. The bill repeals an expired law that previously required similar testing only in public schools, now extending the requirement equally to all school types.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2346: Establishes one-time grant to study and recommend best practices for encouraging youth participation in government.

This bill provides a one-time $100,000 grant to a New Jersey four-year public university to study ways to increase youth involvement in government. The university must submit a detailed proposal and budget, then produce a report within one year identifying existing best practices and recommending the most effective methods for engaging young people. The report will be shared with state education officials and distributed to all school districts within 60 days. The bill directly affects public universities selected for the grant and aims to inform future youth engagement efforts in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3358: Phases out State tuition aid grants for students enrolled in proprietary institutions of higher education; redirects State tuition aid grant funding for students enrolled in proprietary institutions to summer tuition aid grant program.

This bill phases out New Jersey's State tuition aid grants for students attending for-profit colleges starting with the 2026-2027 academic year. Current students enrolled at these institutions who received aid before that year will continue to receive it until their eligibility ends, but new students at for-profit colleges will no longer qualify. The redirected funds will instead support the state's summer tuition aid program, which helps students cover costs during summer sessions at public colleges, community colleges, and other eligible institutions. The change takes effect immediately for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3169: Prohibits public institutions of higher education from increasing resident undergraduate and graduate tuition and fees by more than four percent over prior academic year.

This bill limits annual tuition and fee increases for in-state undergraduate and graduate students at New Jersey's public colleges and universities to no more than 4% above the previous academic year's rates. It directly affects all resident students enrolled in public higher education institutions across the state. The key provision requires public institutions to cap all resident tuition and fees (including professional programs like law, medicine, and business) at a 4% maximum annual increase. The policy applies starting with the 2017-2018 academic year and remains in effect for all subsequent years.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2612: Requires Secretary of Higher Education and public institutions of higher education to develop programs for improving Hispanic and Latino representation in higher education leadership positions.

This bill (A 2612) requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education and public colleges/universities to create specific programs aimed at increasing Hispanic and Latino representation in leadership roles. Key provisions include establishing leadership development programs for faculty, creating pathways for undergraduates to pursue academic careers, and mandating institutions to adopt diversity-focused hiring policies for leadership search committees. Public institutions must implement recruitment/retention programs, submit annual reports tracking leadership diversity (by race/gender), and review their progress. The bill directly affects all public higher education institutions in New Jersey and their leadership hiring processes.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2189: Requires DOE to partner with nonprofit organization to establish central registry of individuals and organizations interested in providing supplemental tutoring support to students.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to partner with a nonprofit to create a free, public online registry of tutors and tutoring organizations. It allows eligible participants - including certified teachers, retired educators, college students, industry professionals, and relevant organizations - to list their contact details, subject expertise, and availability without charging students for services. All registrants (except certified teachers with prior background checks) must undergo a criminal history check, and the registry will include a disclaimer noting the information hasn't been verified or endorsed by the state. The registry will be accessible on the Department of Education's website to connect students with free tutoring support.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1329: Establishes New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative Act.

New Jersey Bill A-1329 establishes the "New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative" to connect students, workers, and job seekers with training for high-demand careers. It creates Centers of Workforce Innovation at community colleges focused on 11 key fields like healthcare, cybersecurity, renewable energy, and manufacturing. These centers will develop public curricula, provide job-specific skills training, promote financial aid (including Community College Opportunity Grants), and expand apprenticeships. The bill was introduced in 2026 but withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.374.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Workforce Development Cybersecurity

All education bills