This bill allows New Jersey National Guard members to transfer their tuition benefit to a spouse or dependent child. Specifically, members can transfer 50% of their benefit (covering up to 8 credits per semester) to a dependent child or 100% (covering up to 16 credits per semester) to a spouse. To qualify, the spouse or child must be enrolled full-time at a public New Jersey institution, apply for all available state and federal grants/scholarships, and the Guard member can only transfer the benefit to one person. The bill amends existing law to expand benefit eligibility to family members while maintaining current requirements for enrollment and financial aid applications.
This bill (A 3773) would allow students receiving financial aid from New Jersey's Educational Opportunity Fund to qualify for SNAP benefits without meeting the standard 20-hour weekly work requirement. It directly affects low-income college students who receive Educational Opportunity Fund awards, which support attendance at higher education institutions. The bill requires the state to first seek federal approval for a waiver of the work requirement, with the Department of Human Services applying for this within 90 days of the law's effective date. Once approved, the state must implement the change and run a public awareness campaign to inform eligible students about the new SNAP eligibility rules.
This bill would allow New Jersey students receiving Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) aid to qualify for food assistance (SNAP) without meeting the federal 20-hour weekly work requirement typically needed for student SNAP participation. It directly affects low-income college students who receive EOF grants, which provide financial aid for higher education. The exemption requires federal approval first - New Jersey must apply for this within 90 days - and cannot take effect until federal law, regulation, or a waiver permits it without penalty to the state. After approval, the state must implement the change and run a public awareness campaign to inform students about the new eligibility.
This bill provides tuition assistance to retired New Jersey law enforcement officers who retired due to disability. Eligible officers can attend public colleges or approved private institutions tuition-free for up to 16 credits per semester, provided they apply for all available federal and state student aid first. The program covers undergraduate and graduate studies at qualifying institutions, mirroring a similar existing benefit for National Guard members. It applies only to officers who retired in good standing after meeting minimum service requirements (four+ years) and meeting disability retirement criteria under specific statutes. The state will reimburse institutions for tuition not covered by other aid.
S 3354 would expand New Jersey's Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) program to include part-time undergraduate students at eligible public and private colleges and universities. Currently, only full-time students qualify, but this bill adds that part-time students meeting financial need and academic requirements would receive TAG awards, with each part-time year counting as half a full-time year toward the maximum four-and-one-half-year eligibility period. This change directly affects part-time students who are currently excluded from the state's financial aid program, making them eligible for the same grant support as full-time students.
This bill creates the Gold Star Family Scholarship Program, providing financial aid to family members of New Jersey military personnel who died while on active duty. Eligible recipients include spouses, parents, children, siblings, and legal guardians who attend approved colleges or universities. The program is funded through a $2 annual surcharge on personalized license plates, voluntary taxpayer contributions via state tax returns, and a $100,000 initial appropriation from the General Fund. Scholarships cover undergraduate costs up to the average tuition at New Jersey's four-year public universities, with the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority managing eligibility and award amounts.
This bill creates the "Pathway to Nursing Scholarship Program" to address New Jersey's nursing shortage by helping healthcare workers transition into nursing careers. It requires the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) to develop a program offering 100 scholarships of $10,000 each to eligible healthcare workers enrolled in approved nursing programs. To qualify, applicants must be New Jersey residents, currently or previously working in healthcare, enrolled in an approved nursing program, and commit to working as a nurse after graduation. The program is funded by a $1 million appropriation from the General Fund to support this targeted workforce development initiative.
This bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities (including proprietary institutions) to notify the state's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority when the federal government approves a student loan discharge under "borrower defense" rules. Specifically, institutions must inform the Authority within a reasonable timeframe if a student - especially a New Jersey resident during enrollment - is approved for federal student loan forgiveness due to institutional misconduct. The law does not change federal loan rules but adds a state reporting requirement to help track discharges affecting residents. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.
This bill establishes the New Jersey Veteran Grant Program, providing tuition assistance for veterans attending public colleges and universities in New Jersey. It directly affects veterans who completed at least one year of active military service (including National Guard or Reserves), hold an honorable discharge, reside in New Jersey, and apply for other available grants first. The program covers tuition and mandatory fees for up to 18 credits per semester after other aid is applied, with public institutions required to waive any remaining balance. To qualify, veterans must maintain good academic standing, not be in student loan default, and not receive ROTC scholarships, with grants renewable annually based on continued eligibility.
This New Jersey bill (A 3537) requires high school students to receive instruction on tuition assistance programs and student loan debt as part of their financial literacy graduation requirement, starting with the 2018-2019 ninth grade class. It mandates that students meet with a guidance counselor during 10th or 11th grade to discuss available grants, scholarships, loans, and dual enrollment options that can reduce college costs. The law specifies that instruction must cover student loan repayment requirements and consequences of default. These provisions directly affect all New Jersey high school students and school districts, aiming to improve informed decision-making about post-high school education financing.
