Education (Higher Education) in New Jersey

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

A 438: Allows students to use portion of opportunity grant awards under Educational Opportunity Fund program during summer session.

This bill allows students receiving Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) grants to use a portion of their award for summer courses that count toward graduation or their major. Students must notify the Higher Education Secretary before the academic year starts, which reduces their regular academic year disbursement by a specific amount. The Secretary must annually report how many students used the summer option and their graduation rates within standard timeframes. It directly affects EOF grant recipients at participating New Jersey institutions, implementing a 2016 commission recommendation to improve college affordability.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3580: Requires public institutions of higher education to waive or reimburse application fees and transcript fees for veterans and members of military.

This bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to waive or reimburse application fees and transcript fees for veterans, active-duty military members, and New Jersey National Guard members who live in New Jersey and accept admission. It directly affects eligible service members seeking higher education within the state. The key provision mandates that institutions must eliminate these specific fees upon enrollment, either by not charging them upfront or refunding them after the fact. The policy applies immediately to all public higher education institutions in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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

A 476: Establishes EMT Workforce Development Partnership in DOH, appropriates $1.5 million.

This bill creates the EMT Workforce Development Partnership within New Jersey's Department of Health, providing free training to high school students (16+), college students, and community residents to become certified emergency medical technicians (EMTs). It requires participants to work as paid or volunteer EMTs for at least two years in their local community after certification to avoid repaying training costs. The partnership involves collaboration between the Department of Health, schools, hospitals, and certified training agencies, with $1.5 million appropriated from the state general fund to cover implementation. Participants who complete the training and pass the certification exam receive temporary EMT certification, while those who don't fulfill the service requirement must reimburse the training agency. The bill aims to expand local EMT workforce access through accessible, no-cost training pathways.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education K-12 Education Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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

A 1101: Requires development of longitudinal data system that maintains individuals' data from preschool through entry into workforce.

This bill requires New Jersey to create a statewide data system that tracks individuals' educational and workforce information from preschool through employment. It directly affects students, public schools, colleges, and workforce officials by connecting data across these stages. Key provisions include establishing a working group to determine data elements (like enrollment, test scores, transcripts, and earnings), ensuring privacy and security, and building a system operational within two years. The system will link records to improve education planning, college access, and workforce outcomes while making non-confidential data publicly available.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education

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

A 2349: Requires four-year public institutions of higher education to provide on website certain information on online degree students and graduate degree students.

This bill (A 2349) requires New Jersey's four-year public colleges to publish detailed, up-to-date information about online and graduate programs on their websites. Specifically, institutions must provide clear data on costs (including tuition, fees, and projected total expenses for different living arrangements), graduation rates broken down by demographics and major, faculty composition, financial aid offerings, and student debt levels - all separately for online students, on-campus students, and commuters. The law applies to all public universities (like Rutgers or NJIT) and takes effect for the 2024-2025 academic year. Students and families will use this information to compare institutions and make informed decisions about enrollment and financial planning.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3436: "Combat to College Act"; grants priority course registration to military service members and veterans attending public institutions of higher education.

The "Combat to College Act" (S 3436) grants priority course registration at New Jersey public colleges and universities to military service members (on active duty) and veterans who live in New Jersey and attend these institutions. It defines "veteran" as someone honorably discharged from active duty and requires institutions to offer this priority using the same procedures applied to other student groups with registration preferences. The policy takes effect immediately for the first full academic year after enactment. This change directly affects New Jersey-resident military students and veterans seeking to enroll in public higher education courses.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Mental Health

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

A 2185: Requires public institutions of higher education to provide menstrual products in all campus buildings; appropriates $85,000 from General Fund to Office of Secretary of Higher Education.

This bill requires all public colleges and universities in New Jersey to provide free menstrual products (tampons and sanitary napkins) in all campus buildings, including women’s restrooms, all-gender restrooms, and at least one men’s restroom in locations like lecture halls, residence halls, and libraries. Institutions must offer a variety of products - regular to super-plus, ultra-thin to overnight, and allergy-friendly options - and install dispensers or maintain existing ones that provide free access. The bill also mandates educational materials about toxic shock syndrome and proper disposal, with the state covering all costs through an $85,000 appropriation to the Office of Higher Education. Public institutions must submit reimbursement requests for expenses incurred.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 3387: Permits member of New Jersey National Guard to transfer 50 percent of certain tuition benefit to dependent child or 100 percent of certain tuition benefit to spouse.

S 3387 allows New Jersey National Guard members to transfer part of their tuition benefit to a spouse or dependent child. Currently, Guard members receive up to 16 tuition-free credits per semester at New Jersey public colleges. Under this bill, a spouse can receive the full benefit (100%, up to 16 credits), while a dependent child receives half (50%, up to 8 credits). To qualify, the spouse or child must be enrolled as a student and have applied for other available financial aid, and the member can only transfer the benefit to one person.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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

A 3943: Permits eligible high school students to take certain courses at county college.

This bill allows New Jersey high school students aged 16 or older who are in grade 12, maintain good academic standing, and have principal approval to enroll in career-focused courses at county colleges, provided space is available. It removes the requirement for students to hold a State-endorsed diploma or have completed the GED to take these courses toward career certifications. County colleges must permit such enrollment but are not required to waive existing course prerequisites or application rules. The policy aims to expand access to early career training for eligible high school students.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education K-12 Education

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

A 3068: Permits certain students to qualify for in-State tuition at four-year public institution of higher education.

This bill creates a new pathway for certain students to qualify for in-state tuition at New Jersey's four-year public colleges, bypassing the current requirement of attending NJ high school for three years. It directly affects students who earned an associate's degree from a county college in their home county (where they were treated as a county resident for tuition) but did not meet the standard high school attendance criteria. Key provisions require these students to provide proof of their associate's degree and, for those without lawful immigration status, file an affidavit confirming they've applied for or will apply for immigration status legalization. The bill does not change existing in-state tuition rules for students meeting the standard high school requirements. The legislation is currently pending in the Assembly Higher Education Committee and would take effect for the first full academic year after enactment.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

All education bills