This bill adds $1.2 million in supplemental funding to the Community College Opportunity Grant program for the 2026 fiscal year. It directly supports low-income New Jersey community college students who meet specific criteria: enrolled in at least six credits, without a prior degree, with household income under $65,000 (or reduced awards for $65,001-$100,000), and who complete financial aid applications. The grant covers remaining tuition and approved fees not covered by other aid, up to 18 credits per semester. This funding ensures continued access to financial support for eligible students pursuing associate degrees.
This resolution (AR 111) urges New Jersey public high schools to establish "Pathways to Purpose Week" during the week of May 1. It directly affects high school students and administrators by encouraging schools to recognize and celebrate multiple post-graduation options - including college enrollment, apprenticeships, and military service - alongside traditional "College Decision Day" celebrations. The key provision requires schools to honor all pathways equally, addressing that nearly 30% of seniors do not pursue immediate college enrollment and apprenticeship participation has declined since 2016. The resolution is non-binding, recommending schools adopt this observance to highlight diverse success routes after high school.
This newly introduced New Jersey bill (A 2602) revises annual reporting requirements for public colleges and universities. It expands existing reporting to require institutions to include retention rates, applicant numbers, and acceptance rates - along with all student data disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, family income, and first-generation status. The bill mandates that institutions use this detailed student data to evaluate campus diversity, inform admissions policies, and improve equity initiatives and resource allocation. These changes apply to all public higher education institutions in New Jersey and would first take effect for the academic year following enactment. The bill does not change current reporting on graduation rates, SAT scores, or student financial aid programs.
This bill amends New Jersey's NJ STARS scholarship program to remove a one-year deadline for students who qualify for the scholarship but initially lack college readiness. It directly affects high school seniors in New Jersey who meet NJ STARS eligibility criteria but need remedial coursework to take college-level classes. The key change eliminates the requirement that these students must demonstrate readiness within one year of graduation, instead allowing their eligibility to remain active indefinitely as long as they meet the program's criteria when they enroll. This provides more time for students to complete necessary remediation before accessing the scholarship for up to five semesters of county college study.
This bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities to review the employment history of job applicants who will regularly interact with students (including teaching assistants and staff). Specifically, institutions must verify if applicants were investigated for child abuse or sexual misconduct at any employer within the past 20 years, and require applicants to disclose such allegations or related disciplinary actions. Employers must respond to these checks within 20 days, and false disclosures can lead to employment denial or civil penalties. The policy directly affects higher education institutions, prospective employees in student-facing roles, and their previous employers.
This bill creates a $1,500 nonrefundable tax credit for New Jersey residents who meet specific criteria: graduating from a New Jersey high school and a New Jersey institution of higher education with a 3.5+ GPA, then working full-time (25+ hours/week) for a New Jersey employer within two years of graduation. The credit applies only to the first five consecutive tax years of eligible employment and cannot reduce tax liability below zero. It directly affects New Jersey graduates who pursue higher education and employment within the state, aiming to encourage retention in the state workforce. The credit is limited to undergraduate degree holders from public or private NJ institutions meeting the GPA and employment requirements.
This bill requires all New Jersey public school districts with high schools to enter into mandatory dual enrollment agreements with public institutions of higher education. It directly affects school districts and public colleges/universities, mandating partnerships that allow high school students to earn college credit or career certificates through courses taught on campus. Key provisions include ensuring no student is excluded due to cost, requiring equivalent course rigor regardless of location, and detailing student eligibility and participation processes. The agreement must cover course offerings, student notification methods, and other specifics approved by education officials. The law takes effect immediately, applying to the first full school year after enactment.
This bill (A 2773) creates a four-year grant program to fund performing arts education in eligible New Jersey school districts. It requires districts to demonstrate that a majority of their schools serve high concentrations of multilingual learners, students in resource family care, rural students, or at-risk pupils to qualify for grants. Funds can be used for arts materials, teacher training, program development (including college/career pathways), and extracurricular activities. Participating districts must report annually on program participation and outcomes, and the Commissioner of Education must submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature recommending whether to continue the program.
This New Jersey bill (A 323) requires public school districts to charge tuition to students who are not U.S. citizens or legal immigrants, while allowing citizens and legal immigrants to attend free. Specifically, schools must verify a child's citizenship or immigration status before enrollment; students without documentation must pay annual tuition of at least $1,000 per year. Districts must report the number of tuition-paying students and collected funds in school report cards, and post this data online. The bill directly affects non-citizen students, including undocumented children, and aims to shift educational costs away from taxpayers by requiring tuition payments from this group.
This bill requires all New Jersey high school students pursuing a state-endorsed diploma to complete a one-semester financial literacy course. It directly affects high school students by mandating curriculum covering budgeting, savings, credit, debt, taxes, college financial planning, banking, and consumer skills. The course must be taught by teachers with appropriate endorsements and cannot be satisfied by existing economics or business courses. The requirement applies to students entering 12th grade in the 2027-2028 school year.
