This New Jersey bill requires public colleges and universities to cover tuition and fees for residents who are Medal of Honor or Purple Heart recipients. It applies to undergraduate students enrolled full-time at good standing, provided they have applied for all available state and federal financial aid. Recipients may take up to 16 credits per semester tuition-free for a maximum of eight semesters (four years). The policy takes effect in the first full academic year after enactment, with eligibility verified by each institution's governing board.
This bill establishes a separate fringe benefit rate specifically for New Jersey public colleges and universities, effective starting in fiscal year 2025. Currently, these institutions use the same general state-wide fringe benefit rate as other state employees, but many university staff are enrolled in less expensive retirement plans (like the Alternative Benefit Plan) or have different benefit structures, causing a mismatch between actual costs and payments. The bill requires the Division of Budget and Accounting to calculate a rate reflecting the actual retirement costs for these employees. This change will apply to all federal, dedicated, and non-State funded programs at public colleges and universities.
This bill (A 292) provides tuition-free college credits for eligible retired New Jersey law enforcement officers and firefighters who retired due to service-related injuries or illnesses, as well as for their dependents if the officer or firefighter died in the line of duty. Retirees can take up to 16 credits per semester (max 8 semesters) at public or degree-granting private colleges, after applying for all available federal and state grants. The state reimburses institutions for tuition costs not covered by these grants. Dependents must be New Jersey residents, meet academic standards, and enroll in undergraduate or (for spouses with prior degrees) non-medical/graduate programs.
This bill requires New Jersey school districts to report on 12th-grade students who enter registered apprenticeships or enlist in the military (including National Guard) as part of their annual school performance reports. It mandates that this data be included alongside existing metrics like graduation rates and college enrollment, and integrated into the state's federal accountability system under the Every Student Succeeds Act. The bill specifies that this new metric must not negatively impact a school's overall accountability rating. The requirement applies to all public high schools and will first take effect in the school year following the bill's enactment.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Education (DOE) to create and distribute annual guidelines for school districts and colleges. The guidelines must include research-backed materials on vaping's health risks (lung effects, mental health, comparison to smoking, dangers to pregnant people and children), age-appropriate anti-vaping campaigns, decision-making tools to resist peer pressure, and promotional materials for students from middle school through college. Schools and colleges must use these guidelines to implement campus anti-vaping programs. The DOH and DOE will update the guidelines yearly and post them online with additional resources.
This bill provides free tuition at New Jersey public colleges and universities for dependent children and surviving spouses of military personnel killed while on duty. Eligible individuals must be New Jersey residents, enrolled full-time in undergraduate programs at designated institutions (like Rutgers, NJIT, or county colleges), and the state covers tuition costs not already covered by other scholarships or aid. Benefits are limited to eight years: from high school graduation for children or from the service member's death for surviving spouses. The program takes effect immediately for the 2020-2021 academic year.
This bill modifies New Jersey's Bridge Year Pilot Program to exempt students with disabilities from the requirement to take college credits during their bridge year. Instead, these students may participate in vocational programs or transition services as outlined in their Individualized Education Program (IEP), determined by their IEP team and parent/guardian. It also adjusts age eligibility to allow students who would turn 20 during the program to participate if their IEP requires it. The bill applies to students in the 2021 and 2022 graduating classes enrolled in the pilot program.
This bill provides a $3.5 million supplemental appropriation to fund the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) program for adult students in career and technical education. It directly affects eligible adult students enrolled in county vocational school programs (minimum four months) who are New Jersey residents, have household incomes between $0-$65,000, and have applied for all other available grants/scholarships. The funding covers remaining tuition and approved fees after other state, federal, or institutional aid is applied, acting as "last-dollar" support. Eligibility requires good academic standing, enrollment in programs leading to industry certifications or licenses, and meeting residency requirements.
This bill establishes a $5 million grant program to expand dual enrollment opportunities in career and technical education (CTE) for New Jersey high school students. Public colleges and universities can apply for competitive grants to offer college-level CTE courses on their campuses or in high schools, allowing students to earn college credits while still in high school. Institutions must submit detailed applications outlining their program plans, capacity, and expected student participation, with grants prioritizing programs designed to continue beyond the initial funding period. The Secretary of Higher Education must annually report to the Governor and Legislature on program participation, impact on workforce needs, and recommendations for future funding.
This bill allows New Jersey county colleges to apply for permission to offer bachelor's degrees in applied science fields where there is a critical shortage of qualified workers in the local area. To do this, a college must submit a detailed proposal covering program design, facilities, costs, curriculum, and enrollment plans to the New Jersey Presidents’ Council for review. The council reviews the proposal, recommends approval or denial to the Higher Education Secretary, and the college can only launch the program if it receives accreditation. County colleges are limited to offering no more than three such programs, and must report on student enrollment and completion seven years after launch to determine if the program should continue.
