Education (Higher Education) in New Jersey

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

A 3169: Prohibits public institutions of higher education from increasing resident undergraduate and graduate tuition and fees by more than four percent over prior academic year.

This bill limits annual tuition and fee increases for in-state undergraduate and graduate students at New Jersey's public colleges and universities to no more than 4% above the previous academic year's rates. It directly affects all resident students enrolled in public higher education institutions across the state. The key provision requires public institutions to cap all resident tuition and fees (including professional programs like law, medicine, and business) at a 4% maximum annual increase. The policy applies starting with the 2017-2018 academic year and remains in effect for all subsequent years.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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

A 2612: Requires Secretary of Higher Education and public institutions of higher education to develop programs for improving Hispanic and Latino representation in higher education leadership positions.

This bill (A 2612) requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education and public colleges/universities to create specific programs aimed at increasing Hispanic and Latino representation in leadership roles. Key provisions include establishing leadership development programs for faculty, creating pathways for undergraduates to pursue academic careers, and mandating institutions to adopt diversity-focused hiring policies for leadership search committees. Public institutions must implement recruitment/retention programs, submit annual reports tracking leadership diversity (by race/gender), and review their progress. The bill directly affects all public higher education institutions in New Jersey and their leadership hiring processes.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2189: Requires DOE to partner with nonprofit organization to establish central registry of individuals and organizations interested in providing supplemental tutoring support to students.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to partner with a nonprofit to create a free, public online registry of tutors and tutoring organizations. It allows eligible participants - including certified teachers, retired educators, college students, industry professionals, and relevant organizations - to list their contact details, subject expertise, and availability without charging students for services. All registrants (except certified teachers with prior background checks) must undergo a criminal history check, and the registry will include a disclaimer noting the information hasn't been verified or endorsed by the state. The registry will be accessible on the Department of Education's website to connect students with free tutoring support.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1329: Establishes New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative Act.

New Jersey Bill A-1329 establishes the "New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative" to connect students, workers, and job seekers with training for high-demand careers. It creates Centers of Workforce Innovation at community colleges focused on 11 key fields like healthcare, cybersecurity, renewable energy, and manufacturing. These centers will develop public curricula, provide job-specific skills training, promote financial aid (including Community College Opportunity Grants), and expand apprenticeships. The bill was introduced in 2026 but withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.374.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Workforce Development Cybersecurity

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

A 638: Requires public institutions of higher education to waive tuition and fees for Medal of Honor and Purple Heart Medal military recipients.

This New Jersey bill requires public colleges and universities to cover tuition and fees for residents who are Medal of Honor or Purple Heart recipients. It applies to undergraduate students enrolled full-time at good standing, provided they have applied for all available state and federal financial aid. Recipients may take up to 16 credits per semester tuition-free for a maximum of eight semesters (four years). The policy takes effect in the first full academic year after enactment, with eligibility verified by each institution's governing board.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Veteran Education

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

A 1815: Establishes fringe benefit rate for State colleges and universities.

This bill establishes a separate fringe benefit rate specifically for New Jersey public colleges and universities, effective starting in fiscal year 2025. Currently, these institutions use the same general state-wide fringe benefit rate as other state employees, but many university staff are enrolled in less expensive retirement plans (like the Alternative Benefit Plan) or have different benefit structures, causing a mismatch between actual costs and payments. The bill requires the Division of Budget and Accounting to calculate a rate reflecting the actual retirement costs for these employees. This change will apply to all federal, dedicated, and non-State funded programs at public colleges and universities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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

A 292: Provides tuition-free credits to certain instituitions of higher education for certain law enforcement officers and firefighters and their spouses and dependents.

This bill (A 292) provides tuition-free college credits for eligible retired New Jersey law enforcement officers and firefighters who retired due to service-related injuries or illnesses, as well as for their dependents if the officer or firefighter died in the line of duty. Retirees can take up to 16 credits per semester (max 8 semesters) at public or degree-granting private colleges, after applying for all available federal and state grants. The state reimburses institutions for tuition costs not covered by these grants. Dependents must be New Jersey residents, meet academic standards, and enroll in undergraduate or (for spouses with prior degrees) non-medical/graduate programs.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education

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

A 3850: Requires reporting on post-secondary placement in registered apprenticeships and enlistment in military services as part of school district accountability measure.

This bill requires New Jersey school districts to report on 12th-grade students who enter registered apprenticeships or enlist in the military (including National Guard) as part of their annual school performance reports. It mandates that this data be included alongside existing metrics like graduation rates and college enrollment, and integrated into the state's federal accountability system under the Every Student Succeeds Act. The bill specifies that this new metric must not negatively impact a school's overall accountability rating. The requirement applies to all public high schools and will first take effect in the school year following the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 2195: Directs DOH to develop guidelines for school districts and institutions of higher education concerning student vaping awareness campaigns.*

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Education (DOE) to create and distribute annual guidelines for school districts and colleges. The guidelines must include research-backed materials on vaping's health risks (lung effects, mental health, comparison to smoking, dangers to pregnant people and children), age-appropriate anti-vaping campaigns, decision-making tools to resist peer pressure, and promotional materials for students from middle school through college. Schools and colleges must use these guidelines to implement campus anti-vaping programs. The DOH and DOE will update the guidelines yearly and post them online with additional resources.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Mental Health

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

A 108: Provides free tuition at public institutions of higher education for surviving spouses and dependent children of military personnel killed in performance of duties.

This bill provides free tuition at New Jersey public colleges and universities for dependent children and surviving spouses of military personnel killed while on duty. Eligible individuals must be New Jersey residents, enrolled full-time in undergraduate programs at designated institutions (like Rutgers, NJIT, or county colleges), and the state covers tuition costs not already covered by other scholarships or aid. Benefits are limited to eight years: from high school graduation for children or from the service member's death for surviving spouses. The program takes effect immediately for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Veteran Education

All education bills