Education (Higher Education)

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 824: Requires institutions of higher education to provide greater assistance to certain students with military obligations.

This bill requires New Jersey public and independent colleges to provide specific academic accommodations for students serving in the military (active duty, National Guard, or Reserve). It gives these students options like pass/fail grades, incompletes, or course withdrawals without academic penalty if military duties interfere with classes. Institutions must create clear policies, notify students of their rights, and develop academic contracts with professors to address missed coursework. Additionally, colleges must accept up to 30 credits for undergraduate and 12 for graduate programs based on military training evaluations. The bill directly affects military-affiliated students and all New Jersey higher education institutions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires higher ed institutions to provide academic accommodations for military students, ensuring educational access without penalty and protecting their academic standing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1934: Regulates the authority of the court to make provision for the educational expenses of an unemancipated child in certain instances involving child support.

This bill (S 1934) clarifies that New Jersey courts must consider post-high school educational expenses when determining child support for unemancipated children. It specifically adds "higher education factors" to the list of considerations courts must weigh, including a child's need for college and the parents' financial capacity. The bill does not create new funding but requires courts to account for foreseeable college costs in support orders. It directly affects parents obligated to pay child support and courts handling those cases. The change applies only to children who have not become legally independent (e.g., due to disability or ongoing education).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires courts to include higher education costs in child support, expanding access to college for unemancipated children by mandating consideration of post-high school expenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3250: Requires textbook publishers to provide public institutions of higher education with information on price and availability of textbooks.

This bill, the "Textbook Access Act," requires textbook publishers to disclose pricing and availability information to faculty or departments at New Jersey's public colleges and universities (like Rutgers, NJIT, and Rowan) when they select course materials. Publishers must reveal the price for college bookstores and indicate when unbundled textbook options (without extra materials like CD-ROMs) are available in the same edition. It also mandates that institutions establish policies encouraging timely ordering to check for used books or digital alternatives, and requires publishers to provide substitute product pricing if the requested textbook is unavailable. The goal is to increase transparency in textbook purchasing to help students save money on required course materials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates transparent pricing and unbundled textbook options to reduce student costs and improve access to course materials at public colleges.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 983: Allows credit against gross income tax for certain eligible taxpayers pursuing education and employment in State.

This bill creates a $1,500 nonrefundable state income tax credit for New Jersey residents who meet specific criteria. To qualify, a taxpayer must have graduated from both a New Jersey high school and a New Jersey institution of higher education (public or private nonprofit) with a 3.5+ GPA, then work full-time (25+ hours/week) for a New Jersey-based employer within two years of graduation. The credit applies for the first five consecutive tax years of eligible employment, but cannot reduce tax liability below zero. It directly targets recent NJ college graduates seeking to remain in-state for employment, aiming to incentivize retention in the state's workforce.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $1,500 nonrefundable income tax credit to NJ graduates working in state, reducing tax liability for qualifying residents.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides $1,500 tax credit for NJ graduates working in-state, incentivizing education completion and retention, aligning with education support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1481: Establishes minimum student to employee ratio for calculating State support for employee fringe benefit costs at four-year public institutions of higher education.

This bill sets a 9:1 student-to-employee ratio for calculating state funding toward employee benefits at New Jersey's four-year public colleges. It requires the state to limit funding for fringe benefits to no more than nine full-time students per full-time employee position. Public institutions may use a better ratio (fewer students per employee) if they choose, but the state will not fund more employee positions than actually exist at the college. The rule applies to how state funds cover benefits like health insurance and retirement for college staff.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill caps state funding for employee fringe benefits at 9 students per employee, restricting government spending on this budget item.85% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill caps state funding for fringe benefits at 9:1 student-to-employee ratio, limiting state financial support for higher education employee benefits.90% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill caps state funding for employee fringe benefits at 9 students per employee, restricting financial support for worker benefits and limiting institutional funding for employee compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SR 20: Urges Governor to take steps for State participation in federal tax credit scholarship program.

This non-binding Senate Resolution (SR 20) urges New Jersey's Governor to adopt the federal tax credit scholarship program created by the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (Pub.L.119-21). If adopted, the program would allow New Jersey taxpayers to claim a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 annually for donations to state-recognized scholarship organizations, which would then provide scholarships covering elementary/secondary education costs like tuition, books, and transportation. The resolution directly affects New Jersey families seeking educational options, as state participation would determine whether residents can access these tax benefits and scholarship funds starting January 2027. States have sole discretion to opt into the program, and this resolution formally requests the Governor take necessary steps to join it.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPromotes tax credit for education donations, providing tax relief to donors, aligning with tax relief indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationUrges adoption of tax credit scholarships for K-12 education, expanding access and private funding through donor incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 802: Expands Community College Opportunity Grant Program to include career and technical education programs at county colleges and county vocational schools.

This bill (S 802) expands New Jersey's existing Community College Opportunity Grant Program to cover tuition and fees for career and technical education programs at county vocational schools and county colleges. It directly affects adult students enrolled in these programs who meet income limits ($0-$65,000 annual adjusted gross income) and other eligibility criteria. The key mechanism adds "career and technical education" to the program’s scope, allowing students to receive grants covering costs not covered by other aid, while maintaining existing requirements like residency and academic standing. The program remains administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority for student grants and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education for college support funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands grant coverage for career/tech education, increasing access for low-income adult students at vocational schools and colleges.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 690: Requires four-year public institutions of higher education to require undergraduate students to complete course on climate change.

S 690 would require New Jersey's four-year public colleges to mandate that all new full-time undergraduate students complete a climate change course before graduating. The course must dedicate at least 30% of its content to climate change and be offered across multiple academic disciplines, such as engineering or business. This requirement applies only to students enrolling at these institutions on or after the law's effective date. The bill does not specify which courses must be offered but directs colleges to identify existing courses meeting the 30% content threshold.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates climate change curriculum requirement in higher education, enhancing educational content and student learning standards as per topic's curriculum focus.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate change education in higher ed, promoting environmental awareness and understanding per bill's requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Climate Change

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1191: Establishes luggage donation program for children in resource family care in DCF.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) to create a luggage donation program for children in resource family care (defined as youth under 21 placed by DCF). The program allows individuals to donate new or slightly used, clean luggage (suitcases, backpacks, etc.) for children to use when entering care, moving between homes, attending college, or aging out. DCF must contract with community organizations to accept, store, and distribute donated luggage meeting quality standards, and submit annual reports on the program's effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides luggage for foster youth to attend college, expanding educational access for vulnerable students in higher education.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 168: Requires membership of boards of trustees of State colleges and universities and county colleges to include two college employees.

This bill (S 168) requires that governing boards of New Jersey's State colleges/universities and county colleges include two employee representatives. These representatives must be appointed by the Governor from a list recommended by labor organizations representing the college staff. Employee members serve two-year terms (with staggered initial terms) and have full voting rights, except on matters involving employee employment or working conditions. The bill directly affects college governing boards by mandating staff representation in decision-making.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates employee representation on college governing boards, enhancing educator input in institutional decisions.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employee representatives on college boards via labor recommendations, strengthening worker input in governance decisions affecting their workplaces.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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