Education (Higher Education) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 9, 2026

A 1315: Modifies collective statewide transfer agreement and reverse transfer agreement; establishes New Jersey Transfer Ombudsperson within Office of Secretary of Higher Education.

This bill (A 1315) establishes standardized credit transfer policies between New Jersey's public colleges and universities. It requires all public institutions to create a statewide transfer agreement ensuring general education credits and associate degrees transfer seamlessly to four-year programs, and a reverse transfer agreement allowing students enrolled at four-year schools to earn associate degrees from community colleges for credits completed there. The bill creates a new "New Jersey Transfer Ombudsperson" within the Higher Education office to resolve disputes over credit transfers and monitor compliance. It directly affects public colleges, students transferring between institutions, and community colleges offering associate degrees. The bill is pending before the Assembly Higher Education Committee.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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

A 2750: Establishes New Jersey Tuition Reimbursement Program for Special Education Teachers.

Bill A 2750 establishes New Jersey's Tuition Reimbursement Program for Special Education Teachers, directly affecting current or prospective special education teachers in New Jersey public schools. The program reimburses eligible tuition costs for approved master's programs or graduate coursework in special education (leading to NJ certification), up to 100% of expenses, in exchange for a four-year teaching commitment in a NJ public school after completing the program. To qualify, participants must be NJ residents, hold a valid teaching certificate, enroll in an approved program, and agree to teach special education for four years. Failure to complete the service term or meet performance standards (like maintaining certification or residency) requires full repayment of the reimbursement to the state.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Special Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3296: Requires public institution of higher education to provide alternative scholarship to student-athlete who loses athletic scholarship due to injury.

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.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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

A 2460: Requires NJT to offer discount fares to certain individuals.

This bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to offer discounted fares on tickets or passes for specific groups: K-12 students commuting to school, full-time college/university students, participants in workforce training programs, individuals receiving Work First New Jersey benefits, and newly employed residents meeting strict criteria (e.g., starting at minimum wage, working 20+ hours/week, unemployed 30+ days prior). The discounts apply to all NJT services, including buses, trains, and light rail. It takes effect immediately upon enactment. The bill directly affects eligible students, trainees, low-income recipients, and new workers seeking affordable transit access.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Public Transit Rail

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3582: Establishes Gold Star Family Scholarship Program; appropriates $100,000 from General Fund to Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.

S 3582 would establish a scholarship program for family members and legal guardians of New Jersey military personnel who died while on active duty. The program, initially funded by a $100,000 state appropriation, would provide undergraduate scholarships at New Jersey colleges and universities, with awards capped at the average tuition cost for four-year public institutions. The bill also creates two new funding sources: voluntary taxpayer contributions through state income tax returns and a $2 annual fee on personalized license plates.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations Income Tax State Budget Higher Education Student Financial Aid Veteran Education

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

A 4192: Provides tuition benefits at public institutions of higher education to New Jersey residents who are members of reserve component of Armed Forces of United States.

This bill provides tuition-free education benefits at New Jersey's public colleges and universities for residents who serve in the Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, or Coast Guard Reserves. It covers up to 16 credits per semester for undergraduate or graduate studies, provided recipients have completed required initial training, are enrolled full-time in good academic standing, and have applied for all available federal benefits (like Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits). The state reimburses public institutions for tuition costs not covered by federal programs. It also extends benefits to reservists interrupted by deployment, allowing them to resume tuition-free study after honorable discharge.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3383: Requires tuition aid grant amounts to be equal for students enrolled in independent institutions of higher education and students enrolled in four-year public institutions of higher education.

This bill requires New Jersey's tuition aid grants to be equal for students at public and private four-year colleges based on financial need. Currently, students at private institutions receive higher grant amounts than those at public universities for similar need. The bill mandates equal award values but caps grants at the actual tuition cost of public institutions. It affects approximately 65,000-70,000 annual recipients of the state's largest need-based aid program.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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

A 3091: Authorizes Secretary of Higher Education to impose a fine against an institution of higher education that fails to appropriately respond to a student's allegation of sexual assault by another student.

This bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to impose a $10,000 fine on any public or private college or university that fails to properly investigate a student's allegation of sexual assault committed by another student. If an allegation is proven true, the institution must also take appropriate disciplinary action against the perpetrator. The fine is enforced through existing summary proceedings under New Jersey's Penalty Enforcement Law. The bill directly affects all higher education institutions in New Jersey that receive state funding or oversight.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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

A 4245: Requires Secretary of Higher Education to create and maintain database of Educational Opportunity Fund student admissions.

This bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to create and maintain a centralized database tracking available student openings in Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) programs at participating colleges. It directly affects eligible students seeking EOF placements and college EOF directors who will use the database to improve communication about program availability. Key provisions mandate that colleges notify the Secretary's office when an opening is filled (with updates within one business day) and require EOF directors to share information about openings at other institutions if a student hasn't secured a placement. The database aims to streamline the placement process by providing real-time, institution-wide visibility into available spots.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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

A 609: Permits cosigners to student loans under New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) Loan Program to make payments on loans; allows gross income tax deduction for certain payments under NJCLASS Loan Program.

This bill allows cosigners on New Jersey's NJCLASS student loans to make voluntary payments beyond what the borrower pays, with those payments qualifying for a tax deduction. Cosigners earning $80,000 or less can deduct the full amount paid, while those earning more can deduct 50%. It also expands tax deductions for borrowers: those earning $80,000 or less can deduct all interest paid on NJCLASS loans, and higher earners can deduct 50% of interest. The policy directly affects NJCLASS borrowers and their cosigners by providing tax relief on loan payments and interest. It applies specifically to the New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) Program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Income Tax Higher Education Student Financial Aid

All education bills