This bill directs New Jersey's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to raise the income protection allowance for independent adult students applying for the Tuition Aid Grant Program. The change aligns the state's calculation method with the federal standard used for Pell Grants, allowing more of a student's income to be disregarded when determining financial eligibility. Independent adult students will benefit from potentially higher aid eligibility as the state formula becomes more generous. The law takes effect immediately and applies to grants awarded in the first academic year after enactment.
This bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities to gather and report specific data about undergraduate students who are parents or legal guardians of children under 18. Under the legislation, institutions must submit an annual report to the Secretary of Higher Education by July 1 each year, detailing the number of student parents enrolled in both full-time and part-time programs broken down by demographic groups, along with their academic outcomes such as transfer, withdrawal, and graduation rates. The reports must be made publicly available on each institution's website, and the state secretary will compile a statewide summary of this data for public access. All collected information must remain confidential and comply with privacy laws, ensuring no personal identifying details are disclosed.
This bill creates a five-year pilot program in New Jersey to help public schools, charter schools, and renaissance schools establish community schools that integrate education with health, family, and community services. The program will be managed by an external organization or university selected by the state, which will provide training, technical assistance, and site coordinators to support participating schools in meeting four key goals: integrated student supports, expanded learning time, family engagement, and collaborative leadership. Each county will have one public school assigned a site coordinator to help launch and manage the community school, while the state will publicly list all participating schools and share best practices statewide.
This bill is a concurrent resolution that urges the U.S. Department of Agriculture to revise the 20-hour weekly work requirement for college students to qualify for SNAP benefits. It directly affects college students attending institutions of higher education who currently must meet this work requirement to receive nutritional assistance. The resolution requests that the USDA approve changes to federal rules and asks the U.S. Congress to authorize state waivers for this requirement. It does not change any laws directly but serves as a formal recommendation to federal agencies and lawmakers.
This bill clarifies how New Jersey public schools must record and report student attendance by establishing specific rules for excused and unexcused absences. It requires schools to count students as present if they participate in at least half a day of instruction, whether in-person, at an off-site location, or virtually. The legislation expands excused absences to include menstrual disorders, mental or behavioral health issues, court appearances, and family deaths, while also recognizing State-excused absences for religious observances, Veterans Day, election activities, college visits, and transportation closures. Students with excused absences can make up missed work, and these absences will not appear on transcripts or employment forms, though documentation may be required for approval.
This bill requires the president of every public college or university in New Jersey to create a menstrual equity plan. The plan must outline how the institution will provide free menstrual products to students and staff, including estimates of need, distribution locations, costs, and a timeline for full implementation within 12 months. Once developed, the plan must be submitted to the institution's governing body, the Governor, and the Legislature. The law defines menstrual equity as ensuring equal access to menstrual hygiene products while reducing stigma around menstruation.
This bill creates the College Child Care Advisory Commission in New Jersey to study and make recommendations about child care services for college students. The commission will consist of 15 members, including state officials, educators, child care providers, and a student parent, who will meet to examine current programs and identify ways to improve access to child care on college campuses. Its main tasks include gathering data on student needs, reviewing existing services, and exploring partnerships between colleges and child care providers to potentially use campus facilities for child care. The commission must submit its final report to the governor, legislature, and college presidents within one year, and the bill will end once that report is issued.
This New Jersey bill creates a state tax credit for parents who pay for certain educational expenses for their dependent children. The credit allows taxpayers to receive 25% of qualifying educational expenditures, up to a maximum of $500 per child, which can be applied against their New Jersey gross income tax. Qualifying expenses include tuition at nonpublic schools, required school supplies, instructional materials, extracurricular activity fees, and transportation costs paid directly to the school, while explicitly excluding tutoring, standardized test fees, and everyday clothing. The measure applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, and is intended to provide financial relief to families utilizing private education options.
This bill requires that extraordinary special education aid for students with costs exceeding $55,000 be assessed and levied by the county where the school district is located, rather than being distributed directly by the state. It applies to school districts serving students with high-cost special education needs, particularly those placed in private schools where tuition exceeds the $55,000 threshold. The legislation amends existing state laws to shift the funding mechanism for these high-cost cases to the county level while maintaining the 75% state aid rate for costs above the threshold. The bill does not change the percentage of aid provided or the eligibility criteria for students, only the administrative process for collecting and distributing the funds.
This bill requires the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to allow eligible NJCLASS loan borrowers to pause their loan payments for 12 weeks after becoming a parent. To qualify, students must submit proof of their child's birth or adoption within 120 days of the event, and the deferment period begins once the authority receives this documentation. During the 12-week pause, borrowers do not need to make payments on the loan principal, and interest will not accumulate on the debt. The measure directly affects current NJCLASS loan holders in New Jersey who have recently had a child through birth or adoption.
