Bill Text: NJ S1179 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Provides that student enrolled in theology or divinity degree program may qualify for tuition aid grant if institution of higher education determines student is not candidate for ministry.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-01-25 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee [S1179 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-S1179-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator ROBERT M. GORDON
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Provides that student enrolled in theology or divinity degree program may qualify for tuition aid grant if institution of higher education determines student is not candidate for ministry.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning State tuition aid grants for certain students and amending N.J.S.18A:71B-20.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. N.J.S.18A:71B-20 is amended to read as follows:
18A:71B-20. a. A State tuition aid grant shall be awarded annually to each eligible, qualified full-time undergraduate student enrolled in a curriculum leading to a degree or certificate in an eligible institution, or in an institution of higher education in another state, provided that state permits its residents to utilize its state student financial assistance grants in New Jersey institutions of higher education through reciprocity agreements approved by the authority. In no event shall a State tuition aid grant be utilized at an out-of-State institution which is not licensed by that state and accredited by a regional accrediting association recognized by a national accrediting organization.
b. To each New Jersey resident enrolled as a full-time student and meeting the other requirements for eligibility under this chapter, the State shall grant an amount as provided in N.J.S.18A:71B-21. A student shall not be eligible for a grant unless the application is in a form satisfactory to the authority. A student shall not be eligible for grants for more than four and one-half academic years, unless the recipient is enrolled in an undergraduate program regularly requiring five academic years for completion, in which case the authority shall permit five and one-half years of eligibility. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, a student receiving aid under the provisions of P.L.1968, c.142 (C.18A:71-28 et seq.) shall be entitled to a sixth year of eligibility. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, a county college student who transfers to a four- year institution, or any student who is required to pursue 18 or more credit hours in a remedial or developmental curriculum, as defined by regulations adopted by the authority, is entitled to an additional half year of eligibility. For the purpose of this article, a remedial curriculum shall include only noncredit courses in which a student is directed to enroll by the institution. Eligibility for tuition aid grants may be extended to part-time students through regulations developed by the authority if funds are separately appropriated for this purpose. A student shall not be eligible for grants unless the student maintains such minimum standards of academic performance as are required by the institution of enrollment. A student who is enrolled in a course leading to a degree in theology or divinity shall not be eligible for a tuition aid grant ; except that if the institution in which the student is enrolled determines that the student is not a candidate for the ministry, the student shall be eligible for a tuition aid grant.
c. A person shall not be awarded a State tuition aid grant unless that person:
(1) satisfies the residency and other requirements provided in article 1 of this part;
(2) has applied for State tuition aid and has been determined by the authority to be eligible for the tuition aid;
(3) has demonstrated financial need for the tuition aid as determined by and in accordance with standards to be established by the authority; and
(4) maintains satisfactory academic progress in accordance with standards established by the authority.
(cf: N.J.S.18A:71B-20)
2. This act shall take effect in the first full academic year following enactment.
STATEMENT
Under current law, a State tuition aid grant is awarded annually to each eligible, qualified full-time undergraduate student enrolled in a curriculum leading to a degree or certificate in an eligible institution of higher education. However, the law stipulates that a student who is enrolled in a course leading to a degree in theology or divinity is ineligible to receive a State tuition aid grant.
This bill amends current law to provide that a student who is pursuing a degree in theology or divinity will be eligible to receive a State tuition aid grant if the institution in which the student is enrolled determines that the student is not a candidate for the ministry.
