Education (Student Financial Aid) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 19, 2026

A 4777: Requires State to participate in federal tax credit scholarship program and directs Commissioner of Education to provide required information to U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.

This bill requires New Jersey to participate in a federal tax credit program that allows individuals to claim tax credits for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations. The legislation directs the Commissioner of Education to annually provide the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury with a list of qualifying scholarship organizations in the state. By participating, New Jersey residents would be able to receive federal tax credits for donations to these organizations, which fund scholarships for students from households with income below 300 percent of the area median. The bill takes effect immediately and aligns New Jersey with existing federal requirements for states that wish to enable these tax benefits.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3727: Provides tax credits to companies contributing to loan and loan redemption program for residents who attend institutions of higher education in State and work at such company upon graduation.

This bill creates a program in New Jersey that offers tax credits to companies that contribute money to a student loan fund for residents attending in-state colleges. Companies that make contributions of at least $10,000 can receive an immediate 50% tax credit, plus an additional credit of up to 50% over time as they hire graduates who use the program loans. The program is designed to help businesses recruit and retain local college graduates by funding their education and then paying back portions of those loans when the employees work for the contributing company.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4592: Requires Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to consider combined income of all cosigners on application for participation in New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) Loan Program.

This bill requires the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to evaluate the combined income of all cosigners when determining eligibility for the NJCLASS student loan program. Currently, applicants with multiple cosigners might be denied if each individual cosigner falls below the minimum income threshold, even if their total household income qualifies. The legislation amends state law to ensure that the authority considers the total income of all cosigners together rather than assessing each cosigner separately. This change directly affects students and their families applying for NJCLASS loans, particularly those with multiple parents or guardians providing financial support. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3855: Permits member of New Jersey National Guard to transfer 50 percent of certain tuition benefit to dependent child or 100 percent of certain tuition benefit to spouse.

This bill allows New Jersey National Guard members to transfer their tuition benefit to a spouse or dependent child. Specifically, members can transfer 50% of their benefit (covering up to 8 credits per semester) to a dependent child or 100% (covering up to 16 credits per semester) to a spouse. To qualify, the spouse or child must be enrolled full-time at a public New Jersey institution, apply for all available state and federal grants/scholarships, and the Guard member can only transfer the benefit to one person. The bill amends existing law to expand benefit eligibility to family members while maintaining current requirements for enrollment and financial aid applications.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Military Families National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3773: Provides for student recipients of educational opportunity funds to be exempt from 20 hour weekly work requirement ordinarily required for student SNAP participation.

This bill (A 3773) would allow students receiving financial aid from New Jersey's Educational Opportunity Fund to qualify for SNAP benefits without meeting the standard 20-hour weekly work requirement. It directly affects low-income college students who receive Educational Opportunity Fund awards, which support attendance at higher education institutions. The bill requires the state to first seek federal approval for a waiver of the work requirement, with the Department of Human Services applying for this within 90 days of the law's effective date. Once approved, the state must implement the change and run a public awareness campaign to inform eligible students about the new SNAP eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3669: Provides for student recipients of educational opportunity funds to be exempt from 20 hour weekly work requirement ordinarily required for student SNAP participation.

This bill would allow New Jersey students receiving Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) aid to qualify for food assistance (SNAP) without meeting the federal 20-hour weekly work requirement typically needed for student SNAP participation. It directly affects low-income college students who receive EOF grants, which provide financial aid for higher education. The exemption requires federal approval first - New Jersey must apply for this within 90 days - and cannot take effect until federal law, regulation, or a waiver permits it without penalty to the state. After approval, the state must implement the change and run a public awareness campaign to inform students about the new eligibility.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1293: Provides that former law enforcement officers who retired due to disability are eligible to receive tuition assistance to attend public institution of higher education or proprietary institution licensed to confer academic degrees.

This bill provides tuition assistance to retired New Jersey law enforcement officers who retired due to disability. Eligible officers can attend public colleges or approved private institutions tuition-free for up to 16 credits per semester, provided they apply for all available federal and state student aid first. The program covers undergraduate and graduate studies at qualifying institutions, mirroring a similar existing benefit for National Guard members. It applies only to officers who retired in good standing after meeting minimum service requirements (four+ years) and meeting disability retirement criteria under specific statutes. The state will reimburse institutions for tuition not covered by other aid.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3354: Expands Tuition Aid Grant program to part-time undergraduates.

S 3354 would expand New Jersey's Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) program to include part-time undergraduate students at eligible public and private colleges and universities. Currently, only full-time students qualify, but this bill adds that part-time students meeting financial need and academic requirements would receive TAG awards, with each part-time year counting as half a full-time year toward the maximum four-and-one-half-year eligibility period. This change directly affects part-time students who are currently excluded from the state's financial aid program, making them eligible for the same grant support as full-time students.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2366: Establishes Gold Star Family Scholarship Program; appropriates $100,000 from General Fund to Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.

This bill creates the Gold Star Family Scholarship Program, providing financial aid to family members of New Jersey military personnel who died while on active duty. Eligible recipients include spouses, parents, children, siblings, and legal guardians who attend approved colleges or universities. The program is funded through a $2 annual surcharge on personalized license plates, voluntary taxpayer contributions via state tax returns, and a $100,000 initial appropriation from the General Fund. Scholarships cover undergraduate costs up to the average tuition at New Jersey's four-year public universities, with the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority managing eligibility and award amounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations Fees & Licensing State Budget Higher Education Student Financial Aid Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3356: Requires Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to develop pathway to nursing scholarship for health care workers who want to become nurses; appropriates $1 million.

This bill creates the "Pathway to Nursing Scholarship Program" to address New Jersey's nursing shortage by helping healthcare workers transition into nursing careers. It requires the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) to develop a program offering 100 scholarships of $10,000 each to eligible healthcare workers enrolled in approved nursing programs. To qualify, applicants must be New Jersey residents, currently or previously working in healthcare, enrolled in an approved nursing program, and commit to working as a nurse after graduation. The program is funded by a $1 million appropriation from the General Fund to support this targeted workforce development initiative.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Student Financial Aid Healthcare Workforce Workforce Development

All education bills