Education (Higher Education)

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1503: Establishes "Higher Education Deferred Maintenance Fund" to provide funding for deferred maintenance needs at public institutions of higher education.

This bill creates a "Higher Education Deferred Maintenance Fund" to help New Jersey public colleges and universities cover delayed facility repairs. It requires each public institution to submit a detailed maintenance plan within 90 days of the bill's enactment, outlining needed repairs and costs. The fund, financed by state appropriations and other eligible funds, will cover up to 50% of deferred maintenance costs at four-year institutions or 100% at two-year county colleges, with remaining costs to be covered by non-state funds. The Secretary of Higher Education must develop a funding formula in consultation with relevant authorities to distribute these resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates fund to cover 50-100% of deferred maintenance costs at public colleges, directly funding infrastructure improvements for higher education institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Funding

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1632: Establishes fringe benefit rate for State colleges and universities.

This bill establishes a separate fringe benefit rate for New Jersey's public colleges and universities, starting in fiscal year 2025. Currently, these institutions use a general state rate that doesn't reflect their actual employee benefit costs - many staff are in the less expensive Alternative Benefit Plan (ABP) rather than the standard Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). The new rate will be based on the actual cost of retirement programs at these institutions and applied to all federal, dedicated, and non-State funded programs. This change directly affects public higher education funding by aligning benefit costs with actual employee retirement plan expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdjusts fringe benefit rate to actual costs for public colleges, ensuring accurate state budget allocation and promoting fiscal responsibility in public university funding.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdjusts fringe benefit rates to actual costs for public universities, ensuring proper funding alignment for employee benefits and supporting higher education institutions' financial stability.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes actual-cost fringe benefit rate for state college staff, correcting underfunding of retirement benefits (ABP vs. PERS), advancing worker benefit protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions Higher Education Retirement Benefits

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2002: Establishes "New Jersey Higher Education Funding Formula Commission."

Bill S 2002 establishes a 11-member New Jersey Higher Education Funding Formula Commission to study and recommend a new funding model for the state's colleges and universities. The commission will examine funding approaches used in other states, collect data from all New Jersey institutions (including medical, law, and graduate schools) on their needs and operations, and develop a proposed funding formula. It must submit its final report with recommendations to the Governor and legislative committees within six months of its first meeting, after which the commission will dissolve. This bill creates a procedural process for reviewing higher education funding but does not implement any new funding changes itself.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes commission to study and recommend new higher education funding formula, aiming to improve state funding model for colleges/universities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Funding

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died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2179: Provides for expansion of social services supports at county colleges.

This bill requires New Jersey county colleges to partner with county social services boards to help low-income students access essential support programs like food assistance (SNAP), childcare subsidies, and cash aid (TANF). It mandates colleges and social services agencies to collaborate on streamlining application processes, providing direct student assistance, and identifying gaps in meeting basic needs. The bill also directs colleges and workforce boards to form partnerships connecting unemployed residents with career-focused college programs. These provisions aim to increase enrollment in social services and improve access to educational pathways for low-income students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands access to essential supports (food, childcare) for low-income college students, directly addressing educational access barriers in higher education.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2966: Establishes employee protections for certain employees of New Jersey City University in event of merger with Kean University.

This bill protects unionized faculty and staff at New Jersey City University (NJCU) if the university merges with Kean University. It prohibits job loss, reduced hours, or other adverse actions for three years after the merger, and requires Kean to offer vacant positions first to transferred NJCU employees. The bill also ensures all existing union contracts, salaries, benefits, and seniority are maintained for three years, with a two-year grace period to meet new job requirements. These provisions apply specifically to employees in recognized collective bargaining units who transfer due to the merger.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects unionized faculty/staff jobs, salaries, benefits, and seniority during university merger, directly supporting higher education workforce stability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly protects unionized staff from job loss, maintains contracts/salaries/benefits for 3 years during merger, directly advancing workers' rights and employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Collective Bargaining

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1457: Allows students to use portion of opportunity grant awards under Educational Opportunity Fund program during summer session.

This bill allows New Jersey students receiving Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) grants to use part of their award for summer courses that count toward graduation or their major. Students must notify the state higher education office before the academic year begins, which will reduce their regular academic year grant disbursement by a specific amount. The state must annually report how many students use this summer option and their graduation rates within standard timeframes. The change implements a 2016 College Affordability Study Commission recommendation and does not count summer use toward the grant's eligibility period.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands access to grant funds for summer courses, enabling timely graduation without reducing overall funding, aligns with educational access goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 815: Establishes "College Child Care Advisory Commission" to examine issues and develop recommendations on providing programs and services for college students who require child care services.

This bill establishes the "College Child Care Advisory Commission" to study and recommend solutions for New Jersey college students who need child care services. The commission, composed of 15 members including state education officials, legislative appointees, child care providers, and a student parent, will collect data on student child care needs and review existing campus programs and subsidies. It will also explore partnerships between colleges and child care providers, and examine successful models from other states. The commission must issue a final report with recommendations to the Governor and legislature within one year of forming.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates commission to study and improve child care access for college students, directly expanding educational access for a key barrier in higher education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2219: Requires campus diversity actions at public institutions of higher education and directs Secretary of Higher Education and Division on Civil Rights to develop guidance regarding diversity in faculty search and selection process.

This bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to create and update detailed diversity plans focused on recruiting and retaining diverse faculty, staff, and students. Each institution must establish specific goals aligned with local or state demographics, track progress through metrics, and report annually on student diversity outcomes - including enrollment, retention, and graduation rates broken down by race, ethnicity, and gender. The bill also mandates annual diversity training for faculty search committees to address unconscious bias and directs the Secretary of Higher Education to develop guidance on inclusive hiring practices. Public institutions must appoint diversity ambassadors to oversee implementation and submit reports to the Secretary, who will compile data for the Governor and Legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates diversity plans for faculty/student recruitment at public colleges with specific goals and annual reporting on diversity outcomes, advancing educational access and equity in higher education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1455: Prohibits misrepresentation of federal tuition benefits to service members and veterans and establishes public awareness campaign on certain higher education benefits available to service members and veterans.

New Jersey's S 1455 prohibits colleges, career schools, and third-party recruiters from misleading service members or veterans about tuition costs, federal education benefits (like the Post-9/11 GI Bill), or financial aid terms. It requires the state to create a public awareness campaign explaining how veterans can verify GI Bill eligibility, confirm benefit applicability at institutions, and access additional financial aid. The law directly affects educational institutions and recruiters who serve military-connected students. It focuses on ensuring accurate information about existing federal benefits rather than creating new programs. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill ensures veterans access to existing federal education benefits by preventing misleading practices and creating awareness campaigns, expanding educational access for service members.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProhibits misrepresentation of GI Bill benefits, ensures veterans access entitled education benefits through transparency requirements and public awareness campaign.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1134: 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 New Jersey residents who were killed while serving in the U.S. military. It covers the portion of tuition not already covered by other scholarships or aid, applying to institutions like Rutgers, NJIT, and county colleges. Eligibility lasts eight years after high school graduation for children or eight years from the service member's death for surviving spouses. The program begins for the 2022-2023 academic year and is funded through state appropriations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides free tuition access for military dependents at public colleges, expanding higher education access and reducing financial barriers for eligible students.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides free tuition for families of fallen service members, expanding educational benefits for veterans' dependents and surviving spouses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Veteran Education

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