This bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities (including proprietary institutions) to notify the state's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority when the federal government approves a student loan discharge under "borrower defense" rules. Specifically, institutions must inform the Authority within a reasonable timeframe if a student - especially a New Jersey resident during enrollment - is approved for federal student loan forgiveness due to institutional misconduct. The law does not change federal loan rules but adds a state reporting requirement to help track discharges affecting residents. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.
This bill establishes the New Jersey Veteran Grant Program, providing tuition assistance for veterans attending public colleges and universities in New Jersey. It directly affects veterans who completed at least one year of active military service (including National Guard or Reserves), hold an honorable discharge, reside in New Jersey, and apply for other available grants first. The program covers tuition and mandatory fees for up to 18 credits per semester after other aid is applied, with public institutions required to waive any remaining balance. To qualify, veterans must maintain good academic standing, not be in student loan default, and not receive ROTC scholarships, with grants renewable annually based on continued eligibility.
This New Jersey bill (A 3537) requires high school students to receive instruction on tuition assistance programs and student loan debt as part of their financial literacy graduation requirement, starting with the 2018-2019 ninth grade class. It mandates that students meet with a guidance counselor during 10th or 11th grade to discuss available grants, scholarships, loans, and dual enrollment options that can reduce college costs. The law specifies that instruction must cover student loan repayment requirements and consequences of default. These provisions directly affect all New Jersey high school students and school districts, aiming to improve informed decision-making about post-high school education financing.
This bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to provide tuition-free job training courses to workers who lost their jobs due to automation. To qualify, workers must have been in the workforce for at least two years, be unemployed or have a layoff notice from an automated workplace, and not receive other state or federal financial aid. Institutions may charge a $20 registration fee per term but cannot require tuition, and courses must have available space with a minimum number of paying students. The bill expands an existing program that previously covered job losses from factory or plant closings.
This bill requires New Jersey public colleges to provide student-athletes with an equivalent scholarship if their athletic scholarship isn't renewed due to a serious injury or illness directly related to their sport. It applies specifically to student-athletes who become medically ineligible to compete because of such an injury. The new scholarship must cover the same value as the lost athletic scholarship, and combined with any prior athletic scholarships, it must last for up to five academic years or until the student earns their degree - whichever comes first. Public institutions may choose to offer additional years beyond the five-year limit at their discretion.
New Jersey bill A1319 requires public colleges and universities to create a student withdrawal policy allowing refunds for specific serious personal situations. It mandates that institutions define "extenuating circumstances" (including illness, injury, hospitalization, and mental health issues) and refund tuition/fees if these circumstances prevent a student from receiving education during a semester. The policy must also provide proportional refunds for unused room and board charges and clarify that financial aid refunds follow existing state and federal rules. This policy applies to all public higher education institutions in New Jersey starting with the first full academic year after the bill's enactment.
This proposed bill establishes the New Jersey Student Teacher Scholarship Program to reduce financial barriers for future teachers. It provides eligible students up to $7,200 per semester for full-time clinical practice (the final teaching internship) in approved teacher preparation programs at New Jersey institutions. To qualify, students must be NJ residents enrolled full-time in an approved program and complete required steps for clinical practice. The program requires annual data collection on participants' demographics and program experiences, with funding to be appropriated annually by the legislature. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Education Committee.
This bill (A 2349) requires New Jersey's four-year public colleges to publish detailed, up-to-date information about online and graduate programs on their websites. Specifically, institutions must provide clear data on costs (including tuition, fees, and projected total expenses for different living arrangements), graduation rates broken down by demographics and major, faculty composition, financial aid offerings, and student debt levels - all separately for online students, on-campus students, and commuters. The law applies to all public universities (like Rutgers or NJIT) and takes effect for the 2024-2025 academic year. Students and families will use this information to compare institutions and make informed decisions about enrollment and financial planning.
S 3387 allows New Jersey National Guard members to transfer part of their tuition benefit to a spouse or dependent child. Currently, Guard members receive up to 16 tuition-free credits per semester at New Jersey public colleges. Under this bill, a spouse can receive the full benefit (100%, up to 16 credits), while a dependent child receives half (50%, up to 8 credits). To qualify, the spouse or child must be enrolled as a student and have applied for other available financial aid, and the member can only transfer the benefit to one person.
This bill requires New Jersey public colleges to provide a replacement scholarship to student-athletes who lose their athletic scholarship due to an injury or illness directly related to intercollegiate athletics. If a student-athlete becomes medically ineligible for sports participation (as determined by the institution's medical staff), the school must offer a scholarship equal in value for the rest of their undergraduate degree program or up to five academic years - whichever is shorter. It specifically covers injuries deemed "incapacitating" under the bill's definition, ensuring financial support continues after athletic eligibility ends. The policy applies only to public institutions of higher education in New Jersey and takes effect immediately upon passage.
