Education (Higher Education) in New Jersey

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

A 4298: Revises eligibility for Educational Opportunity Fund grants and campus-based Educational Opportunity Fund programs.

This bill changes eligibility rules for New Jersey's Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) grants and campus programs. It clarifies that students who already earned an associate degree, college credits, or completed a dual-degree program in high school remain eligible for EOF grants and campus-based programs if they meet all other requirements (like residency, financial need, and full-time enrollment). The bill removes a potential barrier that previously might have excluded these students from participating. It does not change existing financial need or residency requirements but ensures prior college experience does not automatically disqualify applicants.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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

A 632: Establishes New Jersey Veteran Grant Program in Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.

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.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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

A 3537: Requires State Board of Education high school graduation requirements include instruction on tuition assistance programs and student loan debt; requires high school students to meet with guidance counselor to discuss tuition assistance and dual enrollment.

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.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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

A 4389: Requires public institutions of higher education to enroll certain students impacted by automation in job training courses without payment of tuition.

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.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Unemployment Workforce Development

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

A 1319: Requires public institution of higher education to adopt withdrawal policy permitting refund for certain extenuating circumstances.

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.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3286: "College Mental Health Services Act"; establishes grant program for public institutions of higher education and requires public institutions of higher education to report certain information concerning mental health treatment and suicides.

This bill establishes a grant program to help New Jersey public colleges improve student access to mental health services. It requires public colleges to use grant funds for hiring staff, reducing wait times, expanding services, and raising awareness about mental health resources. Colleges must also publicly report semester-by-semester data on student-to-professional ratios, appointment volumes, wait times, and referrals, plus annually report student suicide attempts and completions to the state. The program is funded through state appropriations, private donations, and federal grants, with reporting starting after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Higher Education Mental Health

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

A 438: Allows students to use portion of opportunity grant awards under Educational Opportunity Fund program during summer session.

This bill allows students receiving Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) grants to use a portion of their award for summer courses that count toward graduation or their major. Students must notify the Higher Education Secretary before the academic year starts, which reduces their regular academic year disbursement by a specific amount. The Secretary must annually report how many students used the summer option and their graduation rates within standard timeframes. It directly affects EOF grant recipients at participating New Jersey institutions, implementing a 2016 commission recommendation to improve college affordability.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3580: Requires public institutions of higher education to waive or reimburse application fees and transcript fees for veterans and members of military.

This bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to waive or reimburse application fees and transcript fees for veterans, active-duty military members, and New Jersey National Guard members who live in New Jersey and accept admission. It directly affects eligible service members seeking higher education within the state. The key provision mandates that institutions must eliminate these specific fees upon enrollment, either by not charging them upfront or refunding them after the fact. The policy applies immediately to all public higher education institutions in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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

A 476: Establishes EMT Workforce Development Partnership in DOH, appropriates $1.5 million.

This bill creates the EMT Workforce Development Partnership within New Jersey's Department of Health, providing free training to high school students (16+), college students, and community residents to become certified emergency medical technicians (EMTs). It requires participants to work as paid or volunteer EMTs for at least two years in their local community after certification to avoid repaying training costs. The partnership involves collaboration between the Department of Health, schools, hospitals, and certified training agencies, with $1.5 million appropriated from the state general fund to cover implementation. Participants who complete the training and pass the certification exam receive temporary EMT certification, while those who don't fulfill the service requirement must reimburse the training agency. The bill aims to expand local EMT workforce access through accessible, no-cost training pathways.

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

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education K-12 Education Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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

A 1101: Requires development of longitudinal data system that maintains individuals' data from preschool through entry into workforce.

This bill requires New Jersey to create a statewide data system that tracks individuals' educational and workforce information from preschool through employment. It directly affects students, public schools, colleges, and workforce officials by connecting data across these stages. Key provisions include establishing a working group to determine data elements (like enrollment, test scores, transcripts, and earnings), ensuring privacy and security, and building a system operational within two years. The system will link records to improve education planning, college access, and workforce outcomes while making non-confidential data publicly available.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education

All education bills