Education (Higher Education) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2216: Establishes tuition reimbursement program for students enrolled in certain private postsecondary educational schools.

This bill creates a tuition protection fund for students attending private career schools in New Jersey. Private schools must pay quarterly contributions into a revolving fund managed by the State Treasurer, building toward a $2.5 million cap. If a school closes, students who paid tuition but can't complete their program can apply for refunds from the fund, covering up to the full tuition amount paid. The fund is prioritized after using the school's required performance bond, and students must assign rights to the state for any further claims against the school.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3074: Assigns financial responsibility of educating homeless student to district of attendance.

This bill changes which school district pays for the education of homeless students in New Jersey. For the first school year after a family becomes homeless, the district where the parent or guardian last lived before homelessness covers costs. In subsequent years, the district where the child attends school becomes responsible for funding. If a child stays in a shelter or transitional housing for over one year, the State pays tuition instead. It directly affects homeless students and school districts managing educational costs.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2487: Establishes "New Jersey College Ready Students Program Act"; provides tuition-free dual enrollment opportunities at county college for certain high school students.

This bill establishes New Jersey's "College Ready Students Program," providing tuition-free dual enrollment at county colleges for eligible public high school students. It directly affects 11th and 12th graders who meet financial need criteria (matching NJ Educational Opportunity Fund standards) and maintain a minimum C average in college courses. Students may earn up to 6 tuition-free credits per school year (3 per semester), with school districts required to have dual enrollment agreements with county colleges. The state covers all tuition costs, and the Commissioner of Education must annually report program metrics like participation rates and student outcomes to the Governor and Legislature.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 2194: Establishes pilot program providing tuition fee waiver for certain apprenticeship courses.*

This bill would provide tuition waivers for classroom courses within registered apprenticeship programs at New Jersey public colleges and vocational schools. It applies to individuals with household income below the state median (as defined by U.S. Census data), who have exhausted all other financial aid and maintain active apprenticeship employment. The state would reimburse institutions for waived tuition costs, covering only the classroom training portion of approved apprenticeships. Eligibility requires completing a FAFSA annually and meeting academic progress standards.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Apprenticeships

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2424: Prohibits public institution of higher education from charging tuition to student who is dependent child of veteran who died or is disabled as result of service-related injury.

S 2424 provides tuition-free education at New Jersey public colleges for dependent children of veterans who died or are totally disabled due to service-related injuries, as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It covers up to 60 credit hours for associate degrees and 120 credit hours for bachelor's degrees, subject to residency requirements, academic progress standards, and proof that the student has applied for all available federal and state financial aid. The bill requires students to have no other federal tuition benefits covering the same cost and to apply for VA benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The state will reimburse public colleges for waived tuition costs.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2907: Requires DOE to develop transition checklist for students with disabilities; requires DOE to maintain information on website concerning transition resources.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to create a standardized checklist for school districts to help students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) plan their transition from high school to post-secondary life. The checklist covers key areas like college, jobs, healthcare, legal independence, and community resources, and must be reviewed with students (starting at age 16) and parents twice yearly by IEP teams. Additionally, the Department must maintain up-to-date transition resource information on its website for students, families, and schools to access easily.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Special Education

signed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 229: Requires institutions of higher education to collect and report employment data for certain graduates.

New Jersey's S 229 requires colleges and universities to collect and publicly report detailed employment outcomes and earnings data for recent graduates, along with other key metrics like graduation rates, costs, and financial aid. Institutions must post annual, disaggregated data (by race, gender, income, and other factors) on their websites, including employment rates, average student debt, and cost projections for different student scenarios. This transparency aims to help prospective students and families compare institutions based on concrete outcomes rather than general information. The law applies to all higher education institutions in New Jersey, with reports due annually and linked directly from application pages. The Secretary of Higher Education will also compile comparative profiles to help students easily evaluate institutions.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 816: Extends eligibility for tuition benefit to dependents of members of United States Armed Forces who died while on active duty.

This bill extends New Jersey's tuition benefit to children and surviving spouses of U.S. Armed Forces members who died while on active duty (previously limited to New Jersey National Guard members). It allows eligible dependents to attend public colleges tuition-free for up to 16 credits per semester, subject to applying for all other available state, federal, and VA education benefits first. Additionally, it provides a new monetary award equal to 10% of tuition costs for non-tuition expenses like housing, meals, or supplies. The benefit applies to public institutions listed in state law and takes effect immediately for the next academic year.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1945: Establishes Volunteer Emergency Responder Loan Redemption Program in Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.

This bill establishes the Volunteer Emergency Responder Loan Redemption Program, which provides student loan forgiveness for New Jersey residents who serve as volunteer emergency responders. To qualify, participants must have completed an in-state undergraduate degree or certificate program, be active members of volunteer fire, ambulance, or emergency management teams, and provide documentation of their service. The program redeems up to $16,000 of eligible student loans over three years of service: $4,000 in the first year, $4,000 in the second year, and $8,000 in the third year (capped at 25%, 25%, and 50% of the original loan balance, respectively). Participants must maintain active volunteer status each year to receive benefits, and the program applies to loans used for in-state higher education costs.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2034: Establishes "Scientific Conference Grant Program"; appropriates $250,000.

S 2034 establishes a $250,000 grant program within New Jersey's Office of the Secretary of Higher Education to support public colleges and universities hosting scientific conferences. The program provides grants to cover venue costs, speaker fees, travel, and lodging for conferences held in New Jersey, but excludes food and unrelated vendor expenses. Institutions must submit applications detailing conference agendas, speaker credentials, and cost information to receive funding. This bill directly affects public higher education institutions seeking financial assistance for scientific events.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

All education bills