Education (Higher Education)

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 908: Establishes "New Jersey Works Dual Enrollment Option Program."

This bill establishes the "New Jersey Works Dual Enrollment Option Program" to help at-risk high school students (those identified as likely to drop out) and recent dropouts earn their diplomas through county college coursework. Students complete high school requirements via college courses that count toward both their diploma and a college credential, with no tuition or fees for them or their families. The program requires school districts to partner with county colleges to create agreements specifying eligible courses, and the state provides job placement services after successful completion. It is fully funded by the state, including state aid for participating students' school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates free dual enrollment for at-risk students, enabling diploma completion via college courses without tuition, expanding educational access and support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2170: Reaffirms continuation of Rutgers Institute of Management and Labor Relations; appropriates $750,000.

This bill reaffirms the continuation of Rutgers University's Institute of Management and Labor Relations for its 75th anniversary and allocates $750,000 annually in state funds to support its work. The Institute will provide affordable or free educational programs - including classes, webinars, and conferences - to New Jersey residents on labor-management relations, workforce issues, and workplace dynamics. It will also conduct research on labor-related problems and maintain an advisory council with equal representation from labor, management, and the public. The funding is supplemental to existing state allocations and specifically supports the Institute’s educational outreach and research activities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $750k for Rutgers Institute's educational programs (classes, webinars) on labor relations, directly funding workforce education access and training.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds Rutgers Institute for labor-management education/research, advancing workplace dynamics and labor relations through direct state appropriation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 511: Allows a gross income tax deduction for certain higher education tuition and fee expenses.

S 511 allows New Jersey taxpayers with gross income of $85,000 or less to deduct qualified higher education tuition and fee expenses paid during the tax year. The deduction covers costs for the taxpayer, their spouse, or dependents enrolled as matriculated students at accredited public or private colleges or universities. It applies to expenses paid for accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. This policy change directly affects low-to-moderate income families with students in higher education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deduction for lower-income families' education costs, directly offering tax relief to qualifying taxpayers under $85k gross income.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax deduction for higher education tuition, increasing affordability and access for low-to-moderate income families with dependents in accredited institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1479: Prohibits institutions of higher education and degree-granting proprietary institutions from using applications for admission that inquire about applicant's criminal history; establishes "Universal College Application Development Task Force" to develop standard application for admission.

This bill (S 1479) prohibits New Jersey public and private colleges (excluding law schools) from asking applicants about criminal history - including juvenile records - on admission applications. It creates a "Universal College Application Development Task Force" to design a standard application that excludes such questions, which all institutions must adopt. Exceptions allow institutions to ask about specific serious crimes (e.g., sexual assault, terrorism, or child exploitation) for admission decisions. Colleges may later inquire about criminal history for campus housing or activities, but must consider factors like time passed since the offense and rehabilitation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves barriers to higher education for individuals with criminal records, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism and promote rehabilitation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves criminal history barriers in college admissions, expanding access to higher education through standardized application reforms.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Violent Crime Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 812: Requires public institution of higher education to award academic credit to certain volunteer emergency responders.

S 812 requires New Jersey public colleges to award academic credit to undergraduate students who volunteer as emergency responders. To qualify, students must have served within five years of enrollment (or concurrently), provided proof of hours, volunteered with approved organizations (like fire companies or emergency management), and held required certifications. Credit is calculated based on volunteer hours and applied toward relevant coursework. The state’s Higher Education Secretary must develop credit guidelines for institutions, though the bill does not affect admission standards. This takes effect immediately for the first full academic year after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by requiring public colleges to award academic credit for volunteer emergency responder work, enabling students to gain credit for community service toward degrees.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 2243: Requires each public institution of higher education to develop menstrual equity plan.*

S 2243 requires every public college and university in New Jersey to create a menstrual equity task force within six months of the law's effective date. The task force, appointed by each institution's president and including diverse campus stakeholders (students, faculty, housing, health centers, etc.), must develop a detailed plan for free menstrual product access within six months. The plan must cover product needs, distribution locations, costs, and a 12-month implementation timeline. Institutions must implement the approved plan within one year, ensuring equal access to menstrual products while reducing stigma. The bill defines "menstrual equity" as removing barriers to care and addressing stigma around menstruation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires free menstrual products in higher ed, improving student access and well-being, directly supporting educational access90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires free menstrual products in public colleges, improving access to essential health supplies for students, aligning with healthcare access indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 827: Establishes New Jersey Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship.

S 827 creates the New Jersey Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship to support students at county colleges and vocational schools. The scholarship covers tuition, fees, and required course materials up to $5,000 annually after other aid is applied, for up to three years in degree programs or two years for certificates/diplomas. It targets students pursuing credentials in high-demand fields like healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and education, requiring NJ residency, enrollment in approved programs aligned with state labor needs, and either employment or completion of a financial literacy course. Priority is given to high-need fields, with 5% of funds reserved for dual-enrollment students. The program mandates annual reporting on scholarship usage and job placement outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds workforce education via state scholarship, allocating public funds for high-demand fields like healthcare and manufacturing.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $5,000 annual scholarships for education-related programs at vocational schools, expanding access to higher education funding for high-demand fields including education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SR 47: Urges President Biden to cancel up to $50,000 per eligible borrower in federal student loan debts.

This Senate Resolution (SR 47) urges President Biden to use existing authority under the Higher Education Act to cancel up to $50,000 in federal student loan debt per eligible borrower. It directly addresses the 43 million Americans holding approximately $1.6 trillion in federal student debt, with the resolution citing the disproportionate burden on women, minorities, and low-income households. The resolution requests executive action to provide immediate financial relief and stimulate economic activity, though it does not create new law or mandate debt cancellation. As a non-binding resolution, it serves only as a formal request to the President.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUrges student debt cancellation under Higher Education Act, reducing financial barriers to higher education access for marginalized groups, aligning with expanding educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1498: Establishes New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative Act.

This bill establishes the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative, operated by the New Jersey Community College Consortium. It creates "Centers of Workforce Innovation" focused on high-demand fields like healthcare, cybersecurity, renewable energy, and manufacturing. These centers will develop publicly available job training curricula, provide skills for employment, promote financial aid access, and expand apprenticeships. The initiative directly affects students, workers, county colleges, employers, and educational institutions by connecting workforce development with regional economic needs. (Note: The bill was introduced in January 2026 but withdrawn the same day as it was already approved as P.L.2025, c.374.)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates workforce training centers with job-focused curricula, financial aid access, and apprenticeships, expanding educational opportunities in high-demand fields like healthcare and cybersecurity.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly creates workforce centers focused on renewable energy training, promoting workforce development in clean energy sector as a high-demand field.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates workforce training centers for high-demand fields, expanding job opportunities and skills development through apprenticeships and financial aid access.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly establishes cybersecurity as a core focus area for workforce training centers, directly advancing cybersecurity skills development and workforce readiness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Renewable Energy Workforce Development Cybersecurity

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1569: Establishes certain exclusions and credits under gross income and corporation business taxes for contributions to lifelong learning accounts.

S 1569 creates tax benefits for New Jersey taxpayers aged 18-71 who contribute to "lifelong learning accounts" designed for education expenses. It excludes up to $2,500 in annual employer contributions and account earnings from gross income, and provides a 50% tax credit (up to $500) for individual contributions. Distributions used for qualified education expenses (like tuition, books, or training courses) remain tax-free, while non-qualified withdrawals incur a 5% penalty. The bill defines strict account rules, including annual contribution limits, prohibitions on investments in life insurance or collectibles, and requirements for account administration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credits (50% up to $500) and income exclusions for education savings, reducing taxable income and offering relief to taxpayers, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax credits/exclusions for education expenses, increasing affordability and access to lifelong learning through financial incentives for individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education

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