Education (Student Financial Aid)

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

A 2575: Requires Secretary of Higher Education to establish guidelines regarding best practices for student financial aid offers.

This bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to create guidelines for colleges and universities based on 10 best practices identified in a 2022 U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. It directly affects all New Jersey institutions of higher education and proprietary schools offering degrees by mandating they clearly show: total and net costs of attendance, direct vs. indirect expenses, standardized terms for aid, student rights to accept/decline offers, contact information for aid assistance, and banning the term "award" in offers. The guidelines must align with federal "College Financing Plan" standards and avoid duplicating federal requirements. The goal is to improve transparency in financial aid offers, addressing findings that most institutions currently omit key cost details like net price or total attendance costs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires clear financial aid guidelines to improve student access and informed decision-making in higher education, aligning with transparency best practices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

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

A 3330: Establishes loan redemption program for teachers to redeem loan amounts received under the New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students Loan Program through employment in public or nonpublic schools in New Jersey.

This bill (A 3330) creates a program to help New Jersey teachers reduce their student loan debt. It allows teachers who borrowed under the NJCLASS program to have 10% of their loan principal and interest paid by the state for each full year they work as a teacher in a New Jersey public or nonpublic school. To qualify, teachers must be NJ residents, have initially been hired as teachers after the bill takes effect, and sign a contract committing to a specific number of service years. The program requires full school-year service each year to earn the 10% reduction, with debt reduction applied annually after proof of employment is submitted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds to repay teachers' loans, creating new government spending for public education through a dedicated budget program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationReduces teacher student loan debt via state-funded repayment (10% annual reduction), directly supporting educator retention and financial stability in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Teachers

Track

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

A 3356: Establishes Loan Redemption Program for Teachers of Agriculture in Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.

This bill creates a program to help New Jersey agriculture teachers repay student loans. Eligible teachers who work full-time in approved agricultural science programs for five years can have up to $50,000 in student loan debt redeemed by the state ($10,000 per year). To qualify, teachers must be New Jersey residents, hold a teaching certification in agriculture, have completed an approved degree, and not be in student loan default. The program limits participation to ten teachers annually and requires a written service contract. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will manage the program and report annually on its impact.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState allocates $50k annually per teacher for loan repayment, constituting new budget expenditure to fund a workforce development program.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly supports teachers by repaying student loans ($50k max), reducing financial barriers to retention in agricultural education programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4089: Establishes loan redemption program for certain bilingual education teachers.

This bill establishes a loan redemption program for New Jersey public school teachers who teach bilingual education or English as a second language (ESL) programs. To qualify, teachers must work full-time for four consecutive years in a school where at least 10% of students are enrolled in such programs, and they must be New Jersey residents. The program, administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, will redeem up to $20,000 in eligible student loan expenses (25% of the balance per year, capped at $5,000 annually) after four years of service. Priority is given to teachers working in schools designated as "low performing" based on student assessment data.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds teacher loan redemption via state program, increasing government spending on education services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides loan redemption for bilingual/ESL teachers, directly supporting educator retention in high-need K-12 programs through financial incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Testing & Assessment

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4319: Establishes three-year pilot program in DOE to provide certain students with information and assistance regarding federal financial aid application.

This bill establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey public schools to help 12th-grade students complete the federal financial aid application (FAFSA). Participating school districts must provide classroom instruction on FAFSA requirements - including required documents, key terms, eligibility, and deadlines - and send written information to parents or guardians. Schools must also make paper FAFSA forms available upon request to students or their families. The program will test whether this approach can be expanded statewide, requiring the Education Commissioner to report on implementation and feasibility after three years.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by assisting 12th graders with FAFSA completion, directly supporting higher education affordability through school-based aid application help.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

Track

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

A 2410: Establishes New Jersey Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship.

This bill creates the New Jersey Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship to cover tuition, fees, and required course materials for New Jersey residents enrolled in career-focused programs at county colleges or vocational schools. It directly affects students pursuing certificates, diplomas, or degrees in high-demand fields like healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and education, as identified by the state's Labor Demand Occupation List. The scholarship covers costs after other aid is applied, up to $5,000 annually, with eligibility requiring residency, enrollment in an approved program, and either employment or completion of a financial literacy course. Students in associate degree programs may receive support for up to three years, while others get up to two years, all subject to maintaining a 2.0 GPA.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded scholarship program covering tuition/fees at public institutions, increasing government spending on workforce education as a public service.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates scholarship funding for career programs in high-demand fields, expanding educational access and financial support for students pursuing vocational training at county colleges.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExplicitly targets healthcare as a high-demand field for workforce training, funding education to expand healthcare workforce capacity.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds scholarships for high-demand career programs tied to state Labor Demand Occupation List, directly advancing workforce development in key employment sectors.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

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

A 1625: Prohibits institution of higher education from establishing scholarship fund or student assistance program limited to students who are citizens or permanent residents of country or territory controlled by terrorist organization.

This bill (A1625) prohibits New Jersey colleges and universities from creating scholarship funds or student aid programs exclusively for students who are citizens or permanent residents of countries or territories controlled by terrorist organizations designated by the U.S. Secretary of State. It directly affects higher education institutions in New Jersey, requiring them to ensure all scholarship programs are available regardless of a student's nationality tied to such designations. Violations would cut off state funding, including operating aid, state bond proceeds, and student assistance program funds administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. The law takes effect immediately and does not apply to scholarships open to all students without nationality restrictions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves nationality barriers for higher education scholarships, expanding access to student aid programs without restricting eligibility based on terrorism designations.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationPrevents exclusion of students from scholarships based on nationality linked to terrorist designations, ensuring equal access to educational services for immigrant students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

Track

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

A 855: Requires public high school students to receive financial literacy instruction on higher education costs, student financial assistance, and cryptocurrencies.

This New Jersey bill (A 855) requires all public high school students to receive mandatory financial literacy instruction covering four key areas: applying for financial aid, understanding higher education costs and funding options (loans, grants), student loan rights and payment choices, and cryptocurrency risks including "get rich quick" scams. It directly affects every public high school student in New Jersey by adding these topics to existing financial literacy curriculum requirements. The bill mandates school boards to integrate these specific lessons into secondary education programs, effective immediately for the next full school year after enactment. The policy aims to provide practical, real-world financial education without endorsing any specific financial products or services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial literacy curriculum on higher education costs, student loans, and cryptocurrency risks, enhancing student financial decision-making in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

Track

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

A 1305: Allows a gross income tax deduction for certain higher education tuition and fee expenses.

This bill allows New Jersey taxpayers with gross income of $85,000 or less to deduct certain higher education tuition and fee expenses paid during the year. The deduction applies to expenses for the taxpayer, their spouse, or dependents who are enrolled as matriculated students at accredited public or independent colleges or universities. It covers tuition and fees paid directly to the institution, not other education costs. The policy change takes effect immediately for taxable years after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deduction for lower-income taxpayers ($85k cap), reducing taxable income and offering direct tax relief.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax deduction for higher education tuition, increasing affordability and access for lower-income taxpayers enrolled in accredited institutions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

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

AR 103: Urges President and Congress of United States to continue federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

This is a New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 103), not a bill with binding effect. It urges the U.S. President and Congress to continue the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, opposing its proposed elimination in the 2021 federal budget. The PSLF Program, established in 2007, forgives student loans for public servants (like teachers, firefighters, and social workers) after 120 on-time payments under income-driven repayment plans while working full-time for government or non-profits. The resolution cites data showing 1,565 borrowers received $100 million in forgiven debt as of 2019, emphasizing the program's role in recruiting public sector employees.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationResolution supports PSLF program, which directly benefits teachers (a core education workforce) by reducing student debt, aligning with 'strengthening' education through teacher support.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentUrges continuation of PSLF program, which forgives student loans for public servants (teachers, firefighters, etc.), directly supporting worker financial stability and retention in public employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

Track