Education (Higher Education) in New Jersey

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

A 2014: Allows students to use certain grant awards during summer session.

This bill allows New Jersey students receiving tuition aid grants (TAG) or opportunity grants (EOF) to use part of their annual award for summer courses that count toward graduation or their major. Students must notify the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (TAG) or the Secretary of Higher Education (EOF) before the academic year starts, and their regular academic year payments will be reduced proportionally. Institutions must annually report how many students used summer grants and their graduation rates within standard timeframes. The policy directly affects students in the state's grant programs and requires transparency in grant usage and outcomes, without counting summer use toward eligibility limits.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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

A 2579: Establishes Volunteer First Responders Loan Redemption Program in Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.

This bill establishes a program allowing New Jersey volunteer emergency responders (firefighters, first aid squad members, or emergency management volunteers) who have in-state undergraduate student loans to receive up to $6,000 in loan redemption. Participants must complete 500+ annual volunteer hours (or meet firefighter response/certification standards), be state residents, and provide proof of active service. The redemption pays $2,000 per year during the second, third, and fourth years of service after graduation, with no payment in the first year. It applies only to loans used for undergraduate study at New Jersey institutions.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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

A 3814: Establishes the New Jersey State Government and Civil Service Student Internship Program; appropriates $750,000.

This bill establishes a New Jersey State Government and Civil Service Student Internship Program within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. It targets undergraduate and graduate students (excluding law and doctoral programs) from accredited colleges, prioritizing New Jersey residents or students attending NJ institutions. Participants must complete 480 hours of work (240 hours per semester) with state agencies, working 20-40 hours weekly depending on class schedules, and receive a $2,500 stipend per 240 hours. Successful completers gain preference for entry-level civil service jobs within two years of graduation, with disabled veterans receiving highest priority. The program is funded by a $750,000 appropriation from the State General Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education

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

A 2097: Directs Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to grant deferment of New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) student loan payments to new parent.

This bill requires New Jersey's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to grant a 12-week payment pause on NJCLASS student loans for eligible borrowers who become parents. To qualify, borrowers must submit proof of a child's birth or adoption within 120 days, with the deferment starting once proof is received and ending 12 weeks later. During this period, no interest accrues on the loan, directly affecting new parent borrowers enrolled in the NJCLASS program. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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

A 2363: 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 refund application fees and transcript fees for veterans, active-duty military members, reservists, and New Jersey National Guard members who live in the state and are admitted. It directly affects these eligible military-affiliated individuals and public higher education institutions. The key provision mandates that institutions cover these specific costs instead of charging them during the application process. The policy takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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

A 1798: Expands Tuition Aid Grant program to part-time undergraduates.

This bill expands New Jersey's Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) program to include part-time undergraduate students at public and private colleges in the state, who are currently excluded. It amends statutes to allow part-time students to receive grants reduced proportionally (e.g., half the full-time amount) and counts their enrollment toward eligibility limits as half a full-time year. Funding for part-time grants must be separately appropriated, requiring dedicated budget line items. The change directly affects part-time students seeking financial aid for degree programs, aligning their eligibility with full-time peers under the state's existing financial aid framework.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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

A 4090: 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 all New Jersey public colleges and universities to create detailed diversity plans with specific goals for recruiting and retaining diverse faculty, staff, and students, tailored to their institution's location (county colleges must reflect local demographics, four-year schools must reflect state demographics). It mandates annual student diversity reports broken down by race, ethnicity, and gender, including enrollment, retention, and graduation rates for each academic program. Institutions must also provide annual bias training for faculty search committees, appoint diversity ambassadors, and increase consideration of underrepresented candidates in hiring. The Secretary of Higher Education and Civil Rights Division must develop guidance for faculty hiring practices based on existing recommendations.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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

A 3889: Permits four-year institution of higher education to award associate degrees.

This bill (A3889) allows New Jersey's four-year colleges to award associate degrees to students who complete 60 or more academic credits at that institution, including transfer students who earned at least 30 credits there. It requires institutions to align offered degrees with their mission, meet Middle States accreditation standards, provide targeted academic advising, and notify students about associate degree eligibility upon reaching 60 credits or if withdrawing before a bachelor's degree. The Secretary of Higher Education must annually report the number of associate degrees conferred by four-year schools to the Governor and Legislature. The policy directly affects students seeking credentials at four-year institutions and the institutions themselves, which must establish specific programs and reporting mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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

A 4361: Permits excused absence for students participating in college visits, visits to postsecondary technical institutions, and military recruitment-related activities.

This New Jersey bill allows high school juniors and seniors (grades 11-12) to miss up to three school days per year for college visits, tours of technical schools, or military recruitment activities without penalty. Absences for military enlistment prep - like testing, medical evaluations, or interviews - are specifically designated as excused. Schools cannot list these absences on student transcripts, job applications, or attendance records, and they won’t affect a student’s perfect attendance status. The policy aims to support college and career pathway exploration while ensuring no academic or administrative disadvantage for participating students.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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

A 1467: Establishes "Manufacturing Workforce Development Grant Program" for students enrolled at county colleges.

This bill creates a grant program to connect New Jersey county college students with paid manufacturing internships through partnerships with local manufacturers. County colleges applying for grants must partner with approved manufacturers, prioritize internships in high-demand occupations, and use 85% of grant funds for student stipends while reserving 15% for program administration and career counseling. Students who complete these internships earn academic credit toward their associate's degree and may receive job offers from participating manufacturers. The program requires annual reporting on participation numbers, skills gained, job placements, and fund usage to track outcomes.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education Workforce Development

All education bills