S 3544 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Establishes Teaching Scholars Loan Redemption Program in Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.

S 3544 establishes the Teaching Scholars Loan Redemption Program within New Jersey's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. It provides eligible New Jersey high school graduates pursuing teaching degrees at in-state colleges with loan coverage (up to $40,000 for undergrad and $10,000 for grad school) in exchange for five years of full-time public school teaching in New Jersey. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents, graduate from a NJ high school, exhaust all other grants/scholarships, and maintain academic standing. The program redeems up to $10,000 per year of teaching service, totaling $50,000 maximum, to address the state's educator shortage by incentivizing top graduates to become teachers.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 19, 2026 Last action Feb 19, 2026
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Feb 19, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Shirley Turner
Shirley Turner
DDemocratic
NJ
15