S 3350 creates a New Jersey tax credit for residents with gross income under $150,000 who pay full-time tuition at qualifying in-state institutions. It provides a 10% credit on tuition costs, capped at $1,000 per year, for either the taxpayer’s own education or for dependents under age 22. The credit applies to four-year public colleges, county colleges, and accredited vocational schools in New Jersey. Taxpayers cannot claim this credit if they already deducted the tuition for the dependent or if a parent claimed it for them. The credit is available for taxable years starting January 1 after the bill’s enactment.
This bill (A 3407) prohibits New Jersey colleges and universities from requiring student parents - those with full or partial custody of a child - to purchase meal plans, live in on-campus housing (except for specific residential programs or scholarship conditions), or pay fees for campus gym or fitness center access. Institutions cannot mandate these costs but may deny facility access if fees aren’t paid. The law applies to all students with custody of children and takes effect immediately for the first full academic year after enactment. It directly affects student parents by removing financial and housing barriers tied to childcare responsibilities.
This bill creates a tax credit program for New Jersey companies that fund student loan assistance. Companies contributing at least $10,000 to the "New Jersey Talent Retention Loan Fund" receive a 50% tax credit against state taxes, with an additional 50% credit over time if they hire graduates. The fund provides loans to eligible in-state students attending New Jersey colleges, requiring participants to work for the contributing company for up to four years after graduation to have their student debt partially repaid. The program directly affects participating companies (through tax incentives), students (through loan access), and the state (via fund administration under the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority).
This bill requires New Jersey's four-year public universities to admit students diagnosed with cancer or sickle cell anemia before age 24, provided they are New Jersey residents for at least one year. Institutions must prioritize these students for admission, financial aid, and on-campus housing, though they may deny admission for compelling reasons reviewed by the Higher Education Secretary. Universities must annually report enrollment data to the Secretary, who then shares totals with the Governor and Legislature. The law does not alter admission standards for specialized programs. It takes effect immediately for the next academic year following enactment.
This bill forgives up to $10 million in outstanding state loans or advances owed by eligible public school districts. It applies to districts that borrowed funds since 2018 to supplement general budgets, including loans under P.L.2018, c.67, or advances under P.L.2006, c.15. The Commissioner of Education and State Treasurer will forgive the debt for qualifying districts, including those with approved applications before the bill's enactment. It directly affects school districts facing budget shortfalls due to state aid reductions, providing immediate financial relief without requiring new spending. The forgiveness covers the principal amount but not interest or fees associated with the borrowed funds.
This bill establishes the New Jersey School Counts County College Scholarship Program, providing up to $4,000 in tuition, book, and fee assistance to eligible high school graduates attending county colleges. To qualify, students must earn a School Counts certificate by maintaining 95% attendance, achieving a C average or higher, completing Algebra I, and meeting graduation requirements during high school. The scholarship covers costs after other financial aid is applied, requires full-time enrollment (24+ credits annually), and must be used within six months of high school graduation. County colleges can receive state matching funds if they raise private donations to support student scholarships.
This bill creates a two-year scholarship program for undergraduate students at New Jersey public colleges who commit to community service in climate action, K-12 education, or food insecurity. Students receiving $10,000 scholarships must serve 15 hours weekly in these fields for one academic year and agree to work full-time in related careers after graduation. The bill appropriates $9 million for 900 scholarships ($10,000 each) and $1 million to fund $100,000 grants for 10 public colleges to establish community partnerships supporting these service opportunities. It requires institutions to develop programs offering academic credit, professional development, and connections to community organizations in the targeted fields.
This bill expands New Jersey's NJ STARS scholarship program to include students who receive equivalent instruction outside traditional schools (such as homeschoolers). It allows these students to qualify for the first year of scholarship funding if they meet academic achievement criteria set by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, similar to requirements for traditionally schooled students. The policy change specifically updates eligibility rules in Section 5(b) of the NJ STARS statute to include this group. For subsequent years, scholarship renewal would still require maintaining a 3.0 GPA, as currently required for all recipients. This change applies to students beginning college enrollment in the 2018-2019 academic year or later.
This bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to create guidelines for colleges and universities based on 10 best practices identified in a 2022 U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. It directly affects all New Jersey institutions of higher education and proprietary schools offering degrees by mandating they clearly show: total and net costs of attendance, direct vs. indirect expenses, standardized terms for aid, student rights to accept/decline offers, contact information for aid assistance, and banning the term "award" in offers. The guidelines must align with federal "College Financing Plan" standards and avoid duplicating federal requirements. The goal is to improve transparency in financial aid offers, addressing findings that most institutions currently omit key cost details like net price or total attendance costs.
This bill (A 3330) creates a program to help New Jersey teachers reduce their student loan debt. It allows teachers who borrowed under the NJCLASS program to have 10% of their loan principal and interest paid by the state for each full year they work as a teacher in a New Jersey public or nonpublic school. To qualify, teachers must be NJ residents, have initially been hired as teachers after the bill takes effect, and sign a contract committing to a specific number of service years. The program requires full school-year service each year to earn the 10% reduction, with debt reduction applied annually after proof of employment is submitted.
