Education (Higher Education)

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 923: Establishes Career and Technical Education Dual Enrollment Grant Program; appropriates $5 million.

S 923 establishes a $5 million grant program to expand dual enrollment in career and technical education (CTE) for high school students. Public colleges and universities in New Jersey can apply for 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. The program requires competitive applications detailing institutional capacity, student participation plans, and long-term sustainability, with the Secretary of Higher Education reporting annually on program impact and workforce effects. This directly affects high school students seeking early college credit in career fields and public higher education institutions receiving funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $5M to expand CTE dual enrollment, increasing college access and funding for high school students through competitive grants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 28, 2026

S 3204: Permits U.S. citizens who are full time college students to be district board members in county of college even if student is not a resident of county or State.

S 3204 (Sponsored by Senator Corrado) amends New Jersey law to allow U.S. citizens enrolled as full-time college students at an institution of higher education in a county to serve on that county's district boards, regardless of whether they reside in the county or state. Currently, applicants must be county residents to qualify for these positions. The bill adds this student group as an eligible category under the existing application requirements, removing the residency barrier specifically for full-time college students. This change directly affects out-of-county or out-of-state college students seeking these volunteer election-related roles.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves residency barriers for college students to serve on school district boards, expanding student representation in educational governance and enhancing access to decision-making processes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1638: Provides tuition benefits at public institutions of higher education to New Jersey residents who are members of reserve component of Armed Forces of United States.

New Jersey's S 1638 provides tuition-free education benefits at public colleges and universities to New Jersey residents who serve in military reserve components (Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, or Coast Guard Reserve). It allows eligible members to take up to 16 credits per semester tuition-free, after applying for all available federal and state education benefits, with the state reimbursing institutions for costs not covered by federal programs like the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The bill also extends these benefits to surviving spouses and children of service members killed in action, and ensures reservists interrupted by deployment can resume tuition-free enrollment after returning from duty. All beneficiaries must maintain good academic standing and meet enrollment requirements at participating public institutions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition benefits for military reservists at public colleges, expanding access and funding for higher education.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides tuition-free education benefits to military reservists, directly expanding veterans' educational opportunities and support through state-funded programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1151: Establishes "Non-College Advancement Act"; makes appropriation.

S 1151 establishes the "Careers without College Program" within New Jersey's Department of Labor to connect eligible individuals (those qualifying for the Community College Opportunity Grant Program) with job and training opportunities in fields that don't require a college degree. The program creates a public webpage with career information, job postings, and scam warnings, partners with trade schools and unions, and promotes non-college career paths to high schools. It also creates a 10-member "Careers without College Advisory Commission" to advise on advancing specific industries like trades, cosmetology, construction, and healthcare support roles. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Labor Committee after its January 2026 introduction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly makes appropriation for workforce program, directly funding public service through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPromotes non-college career pathways via job training partnerships and high school outreach, expanding educational access beyond traditional higher education95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates program connecting workers to non-college job opportunities, training, and career pathways via Department of Labor, directly advancing employment standards and workforce development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Career & Technical Education Higher Education Apprenticeships

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 931: Establishes a business coaching program in DCF for licensed child care providers; appropriates $3 million.

This bill establishes a voluntary business coaching program within New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) for licensed child care providers. It provides licensed providers with monthly virtual coaching sessions (in English, Spanish, or other relevant languages) to improve center efficiency, increase enrollment, set tuition rates, and understand health/safety regulations. The program is funded by a $3 million appropriation from the General Fund, requiring participants to be licensed child care center operators residing in New Jersey. Participation is entirely voluntary, with DCF selecting eligible providers based on established criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $3M from General Fund to fund child care provider coaching program, increasing public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $3M for child care coaching to increase enrollment/access, aligning with educational access under topic description75% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1067: Increases reporting requirements for the NJ Basic Skills Training Program for Economic Growth.

S 1067 (NJ Basic Skills Training Program bill) reallocates funding for workforce development programs rather than increasing reporting requirements, as its title suggests. The bill changes how 100% of the "Supplemental Workforce Fund" is distributed: 24% supports One Stop Career Centers, 28% funds Workforce Investment Boards, 25% (with 12.5% dedicated to apprenticeship pilots) aids employer/educator consortia, $3 million minimum goes to community colleges, and 10% covers administrative costs. It directly affects displaced/disadvantaged workers, employers (requiring them to pay regular wages during training without paperwork), and community colleges delivering basic skills training. Key mechanisms include fixed funding percentages, employer wage requirements during training, and annual reporting by the community college consortium.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $3M minimum to community colleges (higher education) and 25% to employer/educator consortia, directly funding educational institutions within workforce development.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill reallocates workforce fund to support training programs, community colleges, and apprenticeships, advancing employment standards through direct funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Teachers Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1848: Establishes Volunteer First Responders Loan Redemption Program in Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.

This bill creates a program through New Jersey's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to help volunteer emergency responders reduce their student loan debt. To qualify, individuals must be New Jersey residents who completed an in-state undergraduate degree or certificate after the bill's effective date, serve as a volunteer firefighter, first aid/rescue squad member, or emergency management volunteer (meeting specific hour or response rate requirements), and provide documentation of active service. The program provides up to $6,000 in total loan relief, disbursed as $2,000 per year for the second, third, and fourth years of active service, with no relief in the first year. Participants must maintain active service and submit proof of participation to receive payments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates student loan forgiveness program for emergency responders with in-state higher education degrees, supporting higher education access and affordability for a specific group.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 531: Establishes a gross income tax credit for attendance at New Jersey county colleges.

This bill creates a New Jersey state tax credit to help offset college costs. It provides a $750 credit for full-time tuition and maintenance payments (for the taxpayer or a dependent under 22) and a $375 credit for part-time attendance (with at least six credits per semester). The credit is applied against the taxpayer's gross income tax liability, directly benefiting families or individuals paying for New Jersey county college education. It aims to make community college more affordable by reducing the tax burden associated with these costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit reducing gross income tax liability for college attendees, offering direct tax relief to middle/lower-income families.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tax credits to offset community college costs, directly increasing affordability and access to higher education. Explicitly advances educational access through financial support for students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1480: Requires undergraduate students to file degree plan and requires institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions to develop pathway systems to graduation.

This bill requires undergraduate students at New Jersey colleges and universities to file a formal course plan (degree plan) by specific credit milestones: 60 credits for four-year schools, 30 credits for community colleges or private colleges. Institutions must develop "pathway systems" with graduation benchmarks, including requiring first-year students to take credit-bearing math and English courses within their first 24 credits. It also mandates that students in remedial courses take the corresponding credit-bearing course immediately after completing remediation. These requirements apply to all degree-seeking students, with institutions required to notify students when changing majors or academic plans.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates structured degree plans and pathway systems to improve graduation rates and student success in higher education, aligning with strengthening educational outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 799: Permits eligible high school students to take certain courses at county college.

This bill (S 799) allows high school students aged 16 or older in 12th grade to enroll in career certificate program courses at New Jersey county colleges, provided they are state residents, maintain good academic standing, and have principal approval. It removes the requirement for students to hold a State-endorsed diploma or have passed the GED to take these courses. County colleges must permit enrollment if space is available but are not required to waive existing course prerequisites or application procedures. The bill directly affects eligible high school students seeking career-focused college credits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves diploma/GED barrier for high school students to enroll in county college career courses, expanding educational access and opportunity for K-12 students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education K-12 Education

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