This bill creates the "Manufacturing Workforce Development Grant Program" to connect New Jersey county college students with paid manufacturing internships. County colleges partner with approved local manufacturers to offer these internships, which provide students with real workplace experience, academic credit toward their associate's degree, and a stipend for their work. The program allocates 85% of funds to student stipends and 15% to administrative costs and career counseling, with priority given to colleges offering internships in high-demand manufacturing jobs. Colleges must submit detailed partnership agreements and annual reports tracking student participation, skills gained, and job placement outcomes.
S 1436 establishes a 12-member Commission on Oversight of Public Institutions of Higher Education in New Jersey. The commission, including representatives from universities, county colleges, faculty, student leaders, and fiscal experts, will study financial transparency, accountability, and oversight of public colleges and universities. It must issue a report with recommendations within 180 days of organizing, focusing on tuition disclosures, student outcomes, and institutional performance. This bill directly affects New Jersey's public higher education system and its stakeholders.
This bill (S 2578) requires New Jersey's four-year public colleges to waive all tuition and fees for the spouse or dependent child of a disabled veteran who meets specific conditions. To qualify, the student must be accepted and enrolled as an undergraduate, apply for all available state and federal grants/scholarships, and apply for VA tuition benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The state will reimburse institutions for the waived costs. It applies to disabled veterans certified by the VA as having a total, permanent service-connected disability.
This bill prohibits New Jersey colleges and universities from requiring students to receive or provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination for enrollment, class attendance, or participation in institution-sponsored programs. It directly affects all students at higher education institutions within New Jersey. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, removing vaccination requirements as a condition for student access to education and campus activities.
This bill prohibits New Jersey public colleges and universities from raising tuition for in-state undergraduate students during their first four years of enrollment. It directly affects resident undergraduates at institutions like Rutgers or NJIT, freezing their tuition rates for the duration of their standard four-year program. For students in longer programs (e.g., engineering or architecture), the freeze applies for the full time required to graduate. The policy takes effect immediately for students enrolling after the bill's passage.
S 850 establishes a $5 million grant program within New Jersey's Department of Health to help health care professional students repay loans or tuition. The program provides grants to qualified recruitment servicers who partner with hospitals and educational institutions, requiring hospitals to match grant funds at 200% and students to commit to three years of work at partner hospitals. It directly affects health care students (capping assistance at $10,000 yearly or $30,000 total), hospitals providing employment, and recruitment servicers managing the program. The bill specifies eligibility, application requirements, and administrative details for distributing funds to support health care workforce retention.
This bill clarifies that students who have already earned an associate degree, college credits, or completed a dual degree program in high school remain eligible for New Jersey's Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) grants and campus-based programs, provided they meet all other standard requirements like residency, full-time enrollment, and financial need. It specifically removes barriers that previously might have excluded these students from receiving EOF assistance. The change ensures these students can access grant funding and campus programs at any New Jersey higher education institution without being disqualified due to prior academic achievements. The bill takes effect immediately for the next full academic year.
S 1006 allows U.S. military members and their dependents living in New Jersey to qualify for the county resident tuition rate at county colleges in the county where they reside or are stationed. Currently, many military families pay higher non-resident tuition rates because they maintain out-of-county addresses. The bill directly affects military personnel and dependents attending county colleges, changing residency determination for tuition purposes. This ensures they pay the lower resident rate - similar to benefits already provided under state law for public universities - rather than the significantly higher non-resident rate.
S 483 creates a $100,000 grant program to help nonprofit organizations teach financial literacy. The Commissioner of Banking and Insurance will award grants of up to $5,000 each to 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on financial counseling or education. These grants fund classes covering budgeting, credit management, loans, and investing, specifically for high school, college, and adult education settings. The program expires after one year or once all $100,000 is spent.
This bill provides tuition-free college credits for specific New Jersey public safety personnel and their families. Retired law enforcement officers or firefighters who retired due to a service-related injury or illness can receive up to 16 tuition-free credits per semester (max 8 semesters) at public or approved private colleges, provided they apply for all available federal and state grants first. Additionally, spouses or dependent children of officers or firefighters who died in the line of duty are eligible for the same tuition benefits, with spouses who already hold bachelor’s degrees qualifying for graduate programs (excluding medical, dental, or law fields). The state reimburses institutions for tuition costs not covered by existing grants, effective immediately upon enactment.
