Bill Text: NJ S4535 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Expands Tuition Aid Grant program to part-time undergraduates; establishes New Jersey Student Affordability, Completion, and Equity Pilot Program.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-06-28 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee [S4535 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-S4535-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator TROY SINGLETON
District 7 (Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
Expands Tuition Aid Grant program to part-time undergraduates; establishes New Jersey Student Affordability, Completion, and Equity Pilot Program.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning student aid in higher education, amending various parts of the statutory law, and supplementing chapter 71B of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes and P.L.1994, c.48 (C.18A:3B-1 et seq.).
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. A State tuition aid grant shall also be awarded annually to each eligible, qualified part-time undergraduate student enrolled in a curriculum leading to a degree or certificate in an eligible institution in New Jersey.
b. To each New Jersey resident enrolled as a full-time student, except as otherwise provided in subsection d. of this section, and meeting the other requirements for eligibility under this chapter and to each New Jersey resident enrolled as a part-time student, 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] shall be extended to part-time students through regulations developed by the authority [if funds are separately appropriated for this purpose]. Each period of part-time award status shall be counted toward the maximum allowable period of student eligibility as one-half of the maximum allowable period of full-time student eligibility. 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.
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.
d. Eligibility criteria for summer tuition aid grants awarded pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2023, c.34 (C.18A:71B-20a) shall conform to the requirements of this section and shall include the following additional eligibility criteria:
(1) the student is enrolled in six or more credit hours in the summer term;
(2) the courses for which the summer tuition aid grant is to be applied are in the same undergraduate program at the same institution in which the student was enrolled during the student's most recent semester of enrollment in the preceding academic year; and
(3) the courses for which the summer tuition aid grant is to be applied may be credited toward the student's graduation or academic major requirements.
(cf: P.L.2023, c.283, s.1)
2. N.J.S.18A:71B-21 is amended to read as follows:
a. The amount of a tuition aid grant awarded under this article to any student attending an eligible institution shall be established by the authority, but shall not exceed the maximum amount of tuition normally charged at a public institution of higher education for students attending that institution or [50%] 50 percent of the average tuition normally charged at the independent institutions of higher education for students attending those institutions. As determined by the authority, part-time grant awards shall be prorated against the full-time grant award for the applicable institutional sector. The amount of a State tuition aid grant awarded under this act to any full-time student attending an institution of higher education in any state other than New Jersey pursuant to this section shall not exceed $500 in an academic year. The amount of grant to be paid for each semester or its equivalent shall be based on the financial need for the grant, as determined by standards and procedures established by the authority, and subject to the amount of appropriations available therefor.
b. Appropriations for each program category of full-time tuition aid grants shall be separately made by line item. Appropriations for each program category of part-time tuition aid grants shall be separately made by line item.
c. State tuition aid grants shall be awarded by the authority to all eligible applicants without any limitation on the number to be awarded in any year other than the amount of appropriations available therefor. In the event that the amount appropriated is insufficient for full awards to all eligible applicants, the authority, in consultation with the Commission on Higher Education, shall reduce awards equitably among eligible students according to such procedures and guidelines as it shall establish. Any revisions of procedures and guidelines in effect as of the effective date of this act shall be submitted on or before March 1 of the prebudget year by the executive director of the authority to the Joint Budget Oversight Committee of the Legislature, or its successor, together with supporting information. The revised criteria and guidelines may be approved or disapproved by the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, or its successor, at any time; provided that if at the end of a 60-calendar day period after the date on which the revisions are transmitted to the committee, the committee has taken no action, the proposed revised criteria and guidelines shall be deemed to be approved by the committee.
(cf: N.J.S.18A:71B-21)
3. (New section) The Legislature finds and declares:
a. New Jersey is a national leader in state financial aid for college students, yet critical gaps remain.
b. While more than half of low‑income students attend college tuition‑free, fewer than 5 percent incur zero total cost once housing, transportation, food, and books are included in cost calculations.
c. The State's Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) Program and Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) Program are primarily tuition‑focused, leaving non‑tuition barriers to college completion unaddressed by the State.
d. Adult, returning, and part‑time students, who represent a majority of public college students nationally, face inconsistent eligibility rules across student assistance programs.
e. Neither the TAG program nor the CCOG program requires routine public reporting on the equity gaps, persistence rates, or completion outcomes of their recipients.
f. The result is a State student assistance system that successfully lowers sticker prices for college attendance, but insufficiently addresses true affordability, completion barriers, and equity gaps experienced by the State's students.
g. Research consistently shows that first‑dollar student aid programs produce stronger enrollment and completion effects than last‑dollar programs because they reduce the out‑of‑pocket expenses that drive low‑income students to exit institutions of higher education.
h. Intensive advising supports improves student persistence and completion, especially in programs serving first‑generation and adult students.
i. Programs that exclude adult and part‑time college students show weaker equity and completion effects, limiting workforce impact.
j. There is an urgent need to assist college students in meeting their nontuition costs, and to support their higher education goals through dedicated advising services that promote college affordability, completion, and equity.
k. A pilot‑based approach towards meeting these student needs will limit the State's fiscal exposure and allow evidence‑driven program scaling in a thoughtful and data-informed manner.
4. (New section) As used in sections 5 and 6 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), "nontuition cost" means any cost incurred by an undergraduate student, other than tuition, that is necessary for the successful completion of an academic program, including, but not limited to, housing, food, childcare, transportation, fees, healthcare, books, supplies, and any other cost approved by the Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority for the purposes of the program.
5. (New section) a. There is established a five-year New Jersey Student Affordability, Completion, and Equity Pilot Program. The purposes of the program are to provide:
(1) student grants to eligible undergraduate students for nontuition costs pursuant to section 6 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill); and
(2) institution grants to institutions of higher education for dedicated advising services that promote college affordability, completion, and equity pursuant to section 9 of P.L. , c. (C ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
b. The student grants distributed through the program shall be administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. The institution grants distributed through the program shall be administered by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.
6. (New section) a. The Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority shall administer the distribution of student grants through the New Jersey Student Affordability, Completion, and Equity Pilot Program established pursuant to section 5 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). The purpose of a student grant distributed through the program shall be to fund an eligible student's nontuition costs.
b. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a student grant distributed through the program shall be applied to the total amount of the student's nontuition costs prior to the application of any other State, federal, or institutional need-based grant or merit scholarships for which the student may be eligible.
c. The executive director of the authority shall establish such procedures as may be necessary to document the appropriate use of the student grants.
7. (New section) a. To be eligible to receive a student grant under the New Jersey Student Affordability, Completion, and Equity Pilot Program, an undergraduate student shall meet the requirements for eligibility for a State tuition aid grant pursuant to N.J.S.18A:71B-20, except that eligibility for the pilot program shall be limited to undergraduate students enrolled in institutions of higher education. An institution of higher education shall not impose additional eligibility requirements for the New Jersey Student Affordability, Completion, and Equity Pilot Program.
b. A student grant awarded through the program may be renewed for a student who:
(1) annually completes and submits a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, other financial aid form, or, as applicable, a State financial aid form as required by the authority pursuant to subsection b. of section 1 of P.L.2018, c.12 (C.18A:71B-2.1);
(2) meets the standards for academic performance and satisfactory academic progress, as defined by the institution of higher education that the student is attending, to determine eligibility for federal student aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 or, in the semester immediately prior to receiving an award, attains a minimum level of academic success as determined by the authority; and
(3) maintains eligibility as established pursuant to subsection a. of this section.
c. (1) A student shall be eligible for a student grant under the program for up to nine semesters, unless the student is enrolled in a program regularly requiring at least 10 semesters for completion, in which case the authority shall permit up to 11 semesters of eligibility.
(2) Semesters for which a student is enrolled in at least six credits but less than 12 credits shall be counted as one-half of a full-time semester.
d. A student may be eligible for a student grant under the program during a fall or spring semester in an academic year.
e. If a student, the student's family, or an institution of higher education deems that the authority made an unfair determination of eligibility, an appeal may be filed with the authority within 60 days of initial notification of eligibility or ineligibility.
f. The institution of higher education that a student attends shall notify the student of the student's eligibility for the program and the amount of the student grant.
8. (New section) The Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority shall annually report to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), on the impact of student grants distributed through the pilot program and the advisability of establishing the program on a permanent basis. The report shall include data, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, age, family income at the time of admission, gender, and first-generation status, on college persistence, degree completion, and the remaining higher education costs of students after the application of all State, federal, and institution aid and awards.
9. (New section) a. The Secretary of Higher Education shall administer the distribution of institution grants to institutions of higher education through the New Jersey Student Affordability, Completion, and Equity Pilot Program established pursuant to 5 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). The purpose of the institution grants shall be to provide dedicated advising services to recipients of student grants awarded pursuant to section 6 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
b. The secretary shall distribute institution grants to institutions of higher education, in such a manner and in such amounts as the secretary determines. The secretary shall establish the objectives for which an institution may use a grant received pursuant to this section, which shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) the provision of intensive student advising with a focus on developing personalized degree and career plans;
(2) improving new students' awareness and understanding of the institution's credit policies, including prerequisite, credit transfer, and credit for prior learning policies;
(3) the provision of support services tailored for the unique needs of adult nontraditional students, part-time students, and first-generation students;
(4) wraparound assistance in navigating financial aid and other supports and services available for students through on-campus, community, and State programs; and
(5) active and ongoing communication efforts that improve student understanding of the deadlines, requirements, and resources needed to achieve degree completion.
10. (New section) The Secretary of Higher Education shall annually report to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), on the impact of institution grants distributed through the pilot program and the advisability of establishing the program on a permanent basis.
11. (New section) a. The Secretary of Higher Education and the Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority shall annually report to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), on the collective impact of the Tuition Aid Grant Program, the Community College Opportunity Grant Program, and the New Jersey Student Affordability, Completion, and Equity Pilot Program until such time as the pilot program has expired.
b. The report required pursuant to this section shall include various metrics on program impact including, but not limited to:
(1) college entrance rates;
(2) college persistence rates;
(3) college completion rates; and
(4) average yearly cost of attendance after the application of all State, federal, and institution student assistance programs.
All metrics shall be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, age, family income at the time of admission, gender, and first-generation status, on college persistence, degree completion, and the remaining higher education costs of students after the application of all State, federal, and institution aid and awards.
c. In the event that the reported metrics indicate one or more equity gaps among program participants, the report shall include recommendations for program modifications towards narrowing that gap.
12. (New section) The authority shall adopt in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of sections 6 through 7 of this act. The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education shall adopt in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of section 9 of this act.
13. (New section) The amount of funds appropriated on the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) for full-time tuition aid grants and part-time tuition aid grants for county college students shall not be reduced or diverted to implement the provisions of sections 1 and 2 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
14. (New section) The Legislature shall annually appropriate such funds as are necessary to implement the provisions of this act until such time as the New Jersey Student Affordability, Completion, and Equity Pilot Program has expired.
15. This act shall take effect immediately and shall first apply to the first full academic year next following the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill expands the Tuition Aid Grant program to part-time undergraduates and establishes the New Jersey Student Affordability, Completion, and Equity Pilot Program.
The bill expands the Tuition Aid Grant program to part-time undergraduate students who are enrolled in an eligible institution in New Jersey. The bill provides that part-time grant awards would be prorated against the full-time grant award for public and independent institutions of higher education as determined by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. Under the current statute, the amount of a tuition aid grant may not exceed the maximum amount of tuition normally charged at a public institution or 50 percent of the average tuition normally charged at an independent institution.
Appropriations for each program category of part-time tuition aid grants would be made separately by line item in order to ensure that funding for the part-time tuition aid grants would not lead to a reduction in the funding for the full-time tuition aid grants.
The bill also establishes a five-year New Jersey Student Affordability, Completion, and Equity Pilot Program. The purposes of the program are to provide:
(1) student grants to eligible undergraduate students for nontuition costs; and
(2) institution grants to institutions of higher education for dedicated advising services that promote college affordability, completion, and equity.
Under the bill, the Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (authority) will administer the distribution of student grants. The purpose of a student grant is to fund an eligible student's nontuition costs. "Nontuition cost" is defined in the bill to mean any cost incurred by an undergraduate student, other than tuition, that is necessary for the successful completion of an academic program, including, but not limited to, housing, food, childcare, transportation, fees, healthcare, books, supplies, and any other cost approved by the executive director for the purposes of the program.
The bill requires a student grant distributed through the program to be applied to the total amount of the student's nontuition costs prior to the application of any other State, federal, or institutional need-based grant or merit scholarships for which the student may be eligible. The bill authorizes the executive director to establish such procedures as may be necessary to document the appropriate use of the student grants.
Under the bill, a student eligible for a tuition aid grant will be eligible for a student grant through the New Jersey Student Affordability, Completion, and Equity Pilot Program, except that eligibility for student grants will be limited to undergraduate students enrolled in institutions of higher education. Tuition aid grant recipients at proprietary institutions will not be eligible for student grants. The bill outlines how a student grant may be renewed and for how many semesters. The bill requires notification of eligibility for a student grant and provides for an appeal of a determination of eligibility.
Under the bill, the Secretary of Higher Education is directed to administer the distribution of institution grants to institutions of higher education through the New Jersey Student Affordability, Completion, and Equity Pilot Program. The purpose of the institution grants will be to provide dedicated advising services to recipients of student grants awarded pursuant to the bill's provisions.
The bill provides that the secretary will distribute institution grants to institutions of higher education, in such a manner and in such amounts as the secretary determines. The secretary will establish the objectives for which an institution may use a grant, but the secretary is required to include certain objectives specified in the bill.
The bill directs the executive director of the authority and the secretary to each report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on the program's impact and the advisability of establishing the program on a permanent basis.
The bill directs the Secretary of Higher Education and the Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to annually report to the Governor and the Legislature on the collective impact of the Tuition Aid Grant Program, the Community College Opportunity Grant Program, and the New Jersey Student Affordability, Completion, and Equity Pilot Program until such time as the pilot program has expired.
The bill directs the Legislature to annually appropriate such funds as are necessary to implement the bill's provisions until such time as the New Jersey Student Affordability, Completion, and Equity Pilot Program has expired.
