Education (Higher Education)

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

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 862: Establishes "Manufacturing Workforce Development Grant Program" for students enrolled at county colleges.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates grant program with stipends and academic credit for county college students, directly funding higher education access and workforce development.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates paid internships with stipends for students, providing wages and employment experience, advancing employment standards through workforce development funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Workforce Development

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1436: Establishes Commission on Oversight of Public Institutions of Higher Education.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes commission to study financial transparency and accountability in higher education, aiming to improve oversight and student outcomes through institutional performance recommendations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2578: Prohibits four-year public institution of higher education from charging tuition and fees to student who is spouse or dependent child of disabled veteran.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill waives tuition/fees for veterans' families at public colleges, expanding access to higher education and providing direct financial support through state reimbursement.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill waives tuition/fees for disabled veterans' dependents at public colleges, expanding educational benefits and funding through state reimbursement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 878: Prohibits institutions of higher education from requiring students to receive COVID-19 vaccination.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves vaccination requirement, expanding access to higher education without barriers to enrollment or campus participation.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRemoves mandatory vaccination requirement, a public health measure, restricting public health initiatives and patient access to campus activities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Public Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3248: Prohibits public institution of higher education from increasing resident undergraduate tuition for four continuous academic years following student's initial enrollment.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill freezes tuition for in-state undergrads at public colleges for four years, reducing financial barriers and enhancing access to higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 850: "Public-Private Alliance to Retain Talent and Expand Regional Health Program Act"; creates grant program within DOH for student-loan and tuition relief and appropriates $5 million.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides $5M in tuition/loan relief grants for health care students, directly funding higher education access and reducing financial barriers for students in educational programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds student loan relief for healthcare professionals to retain talent, expanding workforce access through $5M grant program.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides $5M grant for health care student loan relief with 3-year work commitment at partner hospitals, directly supporting workforce retention and employment in critical sector.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2237: Revises eligibility for Educational Opportunity Fund grants and campus-based Educational Opportunity Fund programs.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands access to EOF grants by removing barriers for students with prior college credits, strengthening educational funding access and affordability for higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1006: Allows military member to qualify for resident tuition rate at county college.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access for military families by enabling lower resident tuition rates at county colleges, directly reducing financial barriers to higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 483: Provides grants to nonprofit organizations that provide financial literacy classes; appropriates $100,000.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $100,000 from state budget to fund financial literacy grants, advancing public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $100,000 for nonprofit financial literacy programs in K-12 and higher education settings, directly funding educational initiatives per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

Track