Education (Higher Education) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3361: Applies provisions of "New Jersey College Student and Parent Consumer Information Act" to proprietary schools and limits eligibility for State student assistance programs to students enrolled in certain proprietary schools.

This bill requires proprietary schools (private, for-profit institutions) to provide the same detailed consumer information to students as traditional colleges under New Jersey's existing "College Student and Parent Consumer Information Act." Schools must post on their websites annual reports including graduation rates by demographic and major, full cost of attendance, faculty composition, and student loan debt data - disaggregated by factors like race, income, and first-generation status. It also restricts eligibility for state student financial aid programs to students enrolled in specific proprietary schools meeting certain criteria. The bill directly affects proprietary schools by mandating transparency and state aid recipients by limiting program access.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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

A 4418: "Education Investment Act"; establishes an equity financing for education program at certain public institutions of higher education.

The "Education Investment Act" (A4418) creates an income-contingent repayment program for students at selected New Jersey public colleges and universities. Students can defer tuition and related expenses until after graduation, then repay a fixed percentage of their income over a set period - without fixed interest rates - instead of traditional loans. Participating institutions, chosen by the Commission on Higher Education, set repayment terms (including income percentage, duration, and options for temporary deferment or cancellation) and may partner with third-party investors to cover initial costs in exchange for a share of future repayments. The program is available to all enrolled undergraduate and graduate students at participating institutions, though institutions may limit enrollment to manage program costs.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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

A 1431: Provides in-State tuition status to certain veterans and family members who attend public institutions of higher education during period of mandatory remote instruction due to public health emergencies.

This bill updates New Jersey's tuition policy to ensure veterans and eligible family members (spouses or children) who qualify for federal education benefits continue to pay in-state tuition rates during public health emergencies requiring remote learning. It applies when veterans or covered individuals live outside New Jersey temporarily while attending public colleges in New Jersey through remote instruction. The policy change extends the existing NJTEAM Act, which already provides in-state tuition to qualifying veterans residing in New Jersey, to cover temporary out-of-state stays during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. This directly affects veterans and their families using federal education benefits who face forced relocation due to health-related campus closures.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2139: Provides for merger of New Jersey City University with Kean University; expands powers and property of Kean University.

This bill formally approves the merger of New Jersey City University (NJCU) with Kean University, requiring NJCU to cease operating as a separate institution and become an additional campus of Kean University. It directs Kean to assume NJCU's $150 million in long-term debt and $43 million in affiliated debt, addressing NJCU's $22 million structural deficit that triggered a state fiscal emergency. The merger, agreed upon in October 2025, aims to preserve NJCU's mission while expanding Kean's capacity to serve students in Hudson County and beyond. The bill was withdrawn after being enacted as P.L.2025, c.218.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3359: Directs Secretary of Higher Education to revoke proprietary school's license to award academic degrees if school fails to achieve certain minimum graduation rates.

This bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to revoke a for-profit college's license to award degrees if it fails to meet specific graduation rate targets. For four-year programs, schools must achieve a 75% six-year graduation rate for full-time students within six years of the bill's effective date; for two-year programs, a 75% three-year rate is required. Schools not meeting these targets by the deadline face automatic license revocation, though the Secretary may grant additional time if a school is making sufficient progress after five years. The law directly affects for-profit degree-granting colleges in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3420: Provides for expansion of social services supports at county colleges.

This bill requires New Jersey county colleges to collaborate with county social services boards and state agencies to expand access to social services for low-income students. It mandates colleges to work directly with social services representatives to help students apply for programs like SNAP, TANF, and childcare subsidies, and to streamline enrollment processes. The bill also directs colleges and workforce boards to partner with community organizations to identify unemployed residents who could benefit from college enrollment for career pathways. These provisions aim to connect students with existing support systems and improve access to education and workforce opportunities.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Early Childhood Higher Education

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

A 1782: Modifies Community College Opportunity Grant Program to permit adult students enrolled in postsecondary career and technical education programs to receive financial assistance.

This bill expands New Jersey's Community College Opportunity Grant Program to include adult students enrolled in career and technical education programs at county vocational schools. It directly affects adult learners seeking licenses or certifications through programs like nursing or culinary training, allowing them to receive financial aid covering tuition and approved fees not covered by other grants. Key provisions define "adult student" and amend eligibility to include these programs (requiring at least four months of enrollment), while maintaining income limits ($0-$65,000) and requiring students to apply for other aid first. The program remains administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, targeting career-focused education without changing existing grant structures.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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

A 974: Concerns radon testing in certain schools and institutions of higher education.

This bill requires all public schools, private schools, and institutions of higher education in New Jersey to test their buildings for radon gas at least once every five years. Buildings tested within the five years before the bill's effective date must be retested within five years of that prior test; untested buildings must be tested within 60 days of the bill's effective date. School administrators (like principals or college leaders) must work with environmental officials to determine testing locations, methods, and how results are shared. The bill repeals an expired law that previously required similar testing only in public schools, now extending the requirement equally to all school types.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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

A 2346: Establishes one-time grant to study and recommend best practices for encouraging youth participation in government.

This bill provides a one-time $100,000 grant to a New Jersey four-year public university to study ways to increase youth involvement in government. The university must submit a detailed proposal and budget, then produce a report within one year identifying existing best practices and recommending the most effective methods for engaging young people. The report will be shared with state education officials and distributed to all school districts within 60 days. The bill directly affects public universities selected for the grant and aims to inform future youth engagement efforts in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3358: Phases out State tuition aid grants for students enrolled in proprietary institutions of higher education; redirects State tuition aid grant funding for students enrolled in proprietary institutions to summer tuition aid grant program.

This bill phases out New Jersey's State tuition aid grants for students attending for-profit colleges starting with the 2026-2027 academic year. Current students enrolled at these institutions who received aid before that year will continue to receive it until their eligibility ends, but new students at for-profit colleges will no longer qualify. The redirected funds will instead support the state's summer tuition aid program, which helps students cover costs during summer sessions at public colleges, community colleges, and other eligible institutions. The change takes effect immediately for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

All education bills