reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-30 - Participation by institutions of higher education.

18A:71B-30 Participation by institutions of higher education.
18A:71B-30. Participation by Institutions of Higher Education.
a. The State Treasurer, in consultation with the commission, shall also provide for additional financial incentives to be provided to holders of Garden State Savings Bonds to encourage the enrollment of students at institutions of higher education located in the State of New Jersey. These financial incentives shall be in such forms as determined by the State Treasurer in consultation with issuing officials at the time of the authorization of the Garden State Savings Bonds and shall at a minimum provide that each participating institution shall guarantee that the value of Garden State Savings Bonds redeemed for the purposes of the payment of tuition, fees, and other educational costs at the institution, shall, at the time of matriculation of the student, be increased by not less than six percent of the face value of the bonds at the time of redemption. Two percent of the incentive amount shall be paid by the State, and four percent by participating institutions.
b. Every public institution of higher education in New Jersey shall participate in the financial incentive program. Independent institutions of higher education in New Jersey may elect to participate in the program. Each independent institution which elects to participate shall enter into a contract with the Department of the Treasury which shall, at a minimum, define the terms of participation and establish conditions under which an institution may withdraw from the program. Any independent institution that withdraws from the program shall guarantee to provide the financial incentives in effect for all bonds purchased during the period in which the institution was a participant in the program.
c. The original purchaser and any member of the immediate family of the original purchaser of a Garden State Savings Bond shall be eligible for the financial incentive program established pursuant to this section.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-31 - Dollar Amount not to be considered in determining eligibility for monetary assistance.

18A:71B-31 Dollar Amount not to be considered in determining eligibility for monetary assistance.
18A:71B-31. Dollar Amount Not to be Considered in Determining Eligibility for Monetary Assistance.
Annually, the authority shall determine a dollar amount of Garden State Savings Bonds or accumulated bonds, interest or supplemental payment, which shall not be less than $25,000, unless a greater amount is approved by the authority, which shall not be considered in evaluating the financial needs of a student enrolled at an institution of higher education located in the State of New Jersey, or be deemed a financial resource of or a form of financial aid or assistance to each student, for purposes of determining the eligibility of a student for any scholarship, grant, or monetary assistance awarded by the State; nor shall the amount of any such bonds, interest or supplemental payment as determined by the authority provided for a qualified student under this article reduce the amount of any scholarship, grant or monetary assistance which the student is entitled to be awarded by the State.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-32 - Report on results of sale.

18A:71B-32 Report on results of sale.
18A:71B-32. Report on Results of Sale.
The State Treasurer or the issuing authority or agency shall submit a report after each bond issuance to the commission detailing the results of each separate sale of Garden State Savings Bonds.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-33 - Duties of the State Treasurer.

18A:71B-33 Duties of the State Treasurer.
18A:71B-33. Duties of the State Treasurer.
The State Treasurer shall, in consultation with the commission, approve the following:
a. additional financial incentives as provided in this article;
b. limits that may be imposed on the amount of Garden State Savings Bonds that may be purchased by individual households;
c. minimum denominations to market the Garden State Savings Bonds so that they are affordable by individuals; however, each issue shall be offered with sufficient bonds at a purchase price of $100 to satisfy demand.
In addition, the State Treasurer shall evaluate the feasibility of staggered or periodic forms of payments for Garden State Savings Bonds and shall advise the issuing officials regarding the evaluation.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-34 - Assessment of effectiveness of program.

18A:71B-34 Assessment of effectiveness of program.
18A:71B-34. Assessment of Effectiveness of Program.
The commission and the State Treasurer shall assess the effectiveness of the program and recommend any necessary changes to the issuing officials regarding future bond sales after the initial sale of Garden State Savings Bonds.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-35 - Legislative findings and declarations.

18A:71B-35 Legislative findings and declarations.
18A:71B-35. Legislative Findings and Declarations.
The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. This State is committed to making world-class education accessible and affordable for all New Jersey students;
b. When families save for college education, they are making an important investment in the future for themselves and the young people of this State;
c. Incentives are needed to encourage families to save for college education;
d. The "Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996," Pub.L.104-188, amended the federal Internal Revenue Code to provide for favorable tax treatment for qualified college savings programs and participants in the programs; and
e. In addition to favorable federal tax treatment for a college savings program and its participants, it is desirable to provide favorable State tax treatment, as a special incentive for student beneficiaries to attend college in this State.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-37 - New Jersey Better Educational Savings Trust created.

18A:71B-37 New Jersey Better Educational Savings Trust created.
18A:71B-37. New Jersey Better Educational Savings Trust Created.
There is created within the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority the New Jersey Better Educational Savings Trust (NJBEST). The trust shall provide a mechanism through which the authority, as trustee, holds accounts established and maintained pursuant to the provisions of this article to finance the cost of qualified higher education expenses.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-38 - Administration of the program; powers of the authority.

18A:71B-38 Administration of the program; powers of the authority.
18A:71B-38. Administration of the Program; Powers of the Authority.
The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority shall administer the NJBEST Program. The authority shall have the power to:
a. serve as trustee of the trust;
b. adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), necessary to carry out the provisions of this article;
c. prescribe and provide appropriate forms for participation in the program;
d. select an investment manager and any other contractors needed to manage and market the program;
e. monitor the investment manager and any other contractors by audits and other reports;
f. collect reasonable administrative fees in connection with any contract or transaction relating to the program;
g. impose penalties for nonqualified withdrawals;
h. take all actions required so that the program is treated as a qualified State tuition program under section 529 of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C.s.529; and
i. perform any other acts which may be deemed necessary or appropriate to carry out the objects and purposes of this article.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-39 - Immunity.

18A:71B-39 Immunity.
18A:71B-39. Immunity.
Neither the members of the authority, nor any officer or employee of the authority shall be liable personally for the debts, liabilities or obligations of the program established pursuant to this article.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-40 - Selection of investment manager.

18A:71B-40 Selection of investment manager.
18A:71B-40. a. The authority shall select an investment manager or managers to invest the funds of the trust or the funds in accounts. In making this selection, any investment manager shall be subject to the "prudent person" standard of care applicable to the Division of Investment in the Department of the Treasury pursuant to subsection b. of section 11 of P.L.1950, c.270 (C.52:18A-89), and the authority shall consider the impact of fees and costs imposed by the manager or managers on yield to contributors.
b. The authority may select more than one investment manager and investment instrument for the program if it is in the best interest of contributors and will not interfere with the administration of the program.
c. The authority may provide a contributor with a choice of investment managers or investment instruments or both for the program if both of the following conditions exist:
(1) the federal Internal Revenue Service has provided guidance that providing a contributor with a choice of investment managers or instruments under a State tuition program will not cause the program to fail to qualify for favorable tax treatment under section 529 of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C.s.529; and
(2) the authority concludes that a choice of investment managers or of investment instruments is in the best interest of contributors and will not interfere with the administration of the program.
d. If the authority terminates the designation of an investment manager to hold accounts, and accounts must be moved from that investment manager to another investment manager, the authority shall select the investment manager and type of investment instrument to which the balance of the account is moved, unless the federal Internal Revenue Service provides guidance that allowing the contributor to select among several investment managers or investment instruments that have been selected by the authority would not cause a program to cease to be a qualified State tuition program for the purposes of section 529 of the federal Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C.s.529.
e. If the selection process provided for in this section results in an investment manager other than the Division of Investment, the authority shall provide for the orderly transfer of accounts and shall ensure that all the rights of the contributors and designated beneficiaries participating in the program as of the effective date of P.L.2001, c.262 (C.18A:71B-64 et al.), are protected.
L.1999, c.46, s.1; amended 2001, c.262, s.18.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-41.1 - Exemption from claims of creditors for NJBEST accounts.

18A:71B-41.1 Exemption from claims of creditors for NJBEST accounts.
20. Moneys paid into or out of an NJBEST account by or on behalf of a contributor or designated beneficiary for the purposes of financing the cost of qualified higher education expenses under this article are exempt from all claims of creditors of the contributor or the designated beneficiary.
L.2001,c.262,s.20.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-42 - NJBEST scholarship; conditions.

18A:71B-42 NJBEST scholarship; conditions.
18A:71B-42. a. An amount of no less than $500 shall be provided by the State for the qualified higher education expenses of a designated beneficiary at the time of a qualified withdrawal provided that:
(1) the contributor demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the authority, that the contributor participated in the program for at least four years by making a qualifying minimum initial deposit or qualifying minimum annual contributions, or both, as shall be determined by the authority, for a designated beneficiary;
(2) the designated beneficiary demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the authority, attendance or enrollment in a higher education institution in this State; and
(3) either the contributor, if an individual, or the designated beneficiary demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the authority, that the contributor or designated beneficiary is a New Jersey resident.
b. The amount provided under subsection a. of this section shall meet the requirements of a qualified scholarship within the meaning of section 117 of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C.s.117, for a designated beneficiary satisfying the requirements of subsection a. of this section.
c. A designated beneficiary shall not receive more than one State scholarship provided pursuant to subsection a. of this section.
amended 2020, c.81.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-42.1 - One-time grant; rules.

18A:71B-42.1 One-time grant; rules.
2. a. A NJBEST account when it is initially opened by a taxpayer with gross income of $75,000 or less shall be eligible for a one-time grant of up to $750 in a dollar-for-dollar match of the initial deposit to the account.
b. Notwithstanding the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B -1 et seq.), to the contrary, the authority may adopt, immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law, rules that the authority deems necessary for the appropriate administration and implementation of the provisions of this section, including, a minimum length of time for participation in the NJBEST program in order to maintain eligibility for the credit established pursuant to this section, which rules shall be effective for a period not to exceed 360 days from the date of the filing. The authority shall thereafter amend, adopt, or readopt the rules in accordance with the requirements of P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.).
L.2021, c.128, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-43 - Determination of dollar amount of account.

18A:71B-43 Determination of dollar amount of account.
18A:71B-43. Determination of Dollar Amount of Account.
Annually, the authority shall determine a dollar amount of an account, which shall not be less than $25,000, which shall not be considered in evaluating the financial needs of a student enrolled in an institution of higher education located in the State of New Jersey, or be deemed a financial resource or a form of financial aid or assistance to a student, for purposes of determining the eligibility of a student for any scholarship, grant, or monetary assistance awarded by the State; nor shall the amount of any account as determined by the authority provided for a designated beneficiary under this article reduce the amount of any scholarship grant or monetary assistance which the student is entitled to be awarded by the State.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-44 - Assurance of availability of principal.

18A:71B-44 Assurance of availability of principal.
18A:71B-44. a. If the investment manager is the Division of Investment in the Department of the Treasury, in order to assure the availability of principal of any amount contributed under this article, there shall be paid to the authority for deposit in the trust, at the time of distribution, subject to appropriation, such sum, if any, as shall be certified by the chair of the authority as necessary to provide that amount at the time of distribution. The chair shall make and deliver to the Governor, or his designee, the certificate stating the sums, if any, required to make available in the trust the amount aforesaid, and the sums so certified shall be appropriated and paid to the authority during the then current State fiscal year.
b. If the investment manager is a private entity, the investment of the principal and interest of any amount contributed under this article shall be made in accordance with an investment plan approved by the State Investment Council in the Division of Investment.
L.1999, c.46, s.1; amended 2001, c.262, s.19.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-45 - Construction.

18A:71B-45 Construction.
18A:71B-45. Construction.
a. Nothing in this article shall be construed to:
(1) guarantee that a designated beneficiary will be admitted to a higher education institution or be allowed to continue enrollment at or graduate from a higher education institution after admission;
(2) establish State residency for a person merely because the person is a designated beneficiary; or
(3) guarantee that amounts saved pursuant to the program will be sufficient to cover the qualified higher education expenses of a designated beneficiary.
b. Nothing in this article establishes any obligation of this State or any agency or instrumentality of this State to guarantee for the benefit of any contributor or designated beneficiary any of the following:
(1) the rate of interest or other return on any account; or
(2) the payment of interest or other return on any account.
c. Nothing in this article establishes any obligation or liability of this State or any agency or instrumentality of this State with respect to any federal or State tax liability of any contributor or designated beneficiary in this program.
d. Under regulations promulgated by the authority, every contract and application that may be used in connection with a contribution to an account shall clearly indicate that the account is not insured by this State nor is the investment return guaranteed by this State.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-46 - Federal income tax consequences.

18A:71B-46 Federal income tax consequences.
18A:71B-46. Federal Income Tax Consequences.
If the Congress of the United States enacts legislation that exempts educational savings accounts from federal income taxation, sections N.J.S.18A:71B-42 and N.J.S.18A:71B-43 shall apply with respect to such educational savings accounts as if they were accounts established under this act and the beneficiaries of the accounts were designated beneficiaries subject to the approval of the New Jersey Higher Education Assistance Authority.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-47 - Contracts with accredited schools of veterinary medicine.

18A:71B-47 Contracts with accredited schools of veterinary medicine.
18A:71B-47. Contracts with Accredited Schools of Veterinary Medicine.
The authority is hereby authorized to contract with any and all accredited schools of veterinary medicine in the United States for the acceptance of students who are residents of New Jersey for at least 12 months and desire to study veterinary medicine, and to expend annually within the limits of available appropriations such sums as are necessary to accomplish the intent of this act.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-48 - Contracts with consent of advisory committee; members.

18A:71B-48 Contracts with consent of advisory committee; members.
18A:71B-48. Contracts with Consent of Advisory Committee; Members.
All contracts provided for in N.J.S.18A:71B-47 shall only be entered into by the authority with the advice and consent of an advisory committee consisting of the following: the Dean of Cook College, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, or a designee; the President of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association; the Secretary of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Examining Board; and four New Jersey veterinarians appointed by the Governor for terms of four years each.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-49 - Organization of committee; expenses.

18A:71B-49 Organization of committee; expenses.
18A:71B-49. Organization of Committee; Expenses.
The advisory committee shall organize annually by the appointment of one of its members as chairperson and one as vice-chairperson. Members shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to all necessary expenses.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-50 - Definitions.

18A:71B-50 Definitions.
18A:71B-50. Definitions.
As used in this article:
"Operational expense" means those funds devoted to or required for the regular or ordinary expenses of the school of professional nursing, including administration, maintenance and salary expenses;
"School of professional nursing" means a school in New Jersey offering a program of nursing instruction not exceeding four years beyond high school, which is affiliated with a hospital and holds a certificate of accreditation issued by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, provided that the school is not eligible to receive State aid for its nursing program under any other law;
"Student" means any full-time student who is a resident of this State and who enters a school of professional nursing to begin a program of nursing instruction or any part-time student who is a resident of this State who enters an upper division program of nursing instruction in a school of professional nursing.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-51 - Application for State support; form of application; certificate of accreditation by New Jersey Board of Nursing.

18A:71B-51 Application for State support; form of application; certificate of accreditation by New Jersey Board of Nursing.
18A:71B-51. Application for State Support; Form of Application; Certificate of Accreditation by New Jersey Board of Nursing.
A school of professional nursing may apply for and receive State aid towards the operational expense of the school. The application shall be upon forms prepared and provided by the authority and shall contain such information as the authority shall require. Each application shall be first submitted to the New Jersey Board of Nursing which shall certify thereon whether the school is accredited and whether or not the accreditation has been suspended or revoked.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-52 - Operational support by State; limitation.

18A:71B-52 Operational support by State; limitation.
18A:71B-52. Operational Support by State; Limitation.
Within the limits of funds appropriated for purposes of this article, any school of professional nursing whose application has been approved by the authority shall be entitled to receive State aid for the operational expense of the school to the extent of one-half thereof or $600 per full-time student, whichever is the lesser amount and a pro rata amount for part-time students.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-54 - Findings, declarations about crime victims

18A:71B-54. Findings, declarations about crime victims
2. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. Ten percent of the crimes reported in the State are violent crimes, and murder accounts for at least one percent of all violent crimes committed. Victims of violent crimes and their families often become crime statistics with no honorable mention.
b. It is appropriate to pay tribute to those who have suffered from violent crime through the recognition of National Crime Victims' Rights Week. The State should recognize these individuals through the establishment of a special fund which will allow the children of crime victims the opportunity to attend college through the commemoration of the death of Tony Pompelio, a crime victim, by establishing the Tony Pompelio Commemorative Scholarship Fund.
L.2000,c.163,s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-55 - Definitions regarding scholarship.

18A:71B-55 Definitions regarding scholarship.
3. As used in this act, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
"Board" means the Board of Trustees of the Tony Pompelio Commemorative Scholarship Fund for the children of crime victims created pursuant to this act.
"Chairman" means the Chairman of the Violent Crimes Compensation Board.
"Executive director" means the chief executive and administrative officer of the authority.
"Authority" means the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority established pursuant to N.J.S.18A:71A-1 et seq., the "Higher Education Student Assistance Authority Law," or any body, entity, commission, or department succeeding to the principal functions thereof or to whom the powers conferred upon the authority by N.J.S.18A:71A-1 et seq. shall be given by law.
"Public Institutions of Higher Education" means the State colleges and universities created pursuant to chapter 64 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes; the county colleges; the New Jersey Institute of Technology; Rutgers, the State University; Rowan University; Montclair State University; Kean University; and any other public universities, colleges, county colleges and junior colleges now or hereafter established or authorized by law.
L.2000, c.163, s.3; amended 2012, c.45, s.98; 2017, c.178, s.59; 2021, c.282, s.59.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-56 - "Tony Pompelio Commemorative Scholarship Fund"

18A:71B-56. "Tony Pompelio Commemorative Scholarship Fund"
4. a. There is hereby created and established in the authority a scholarship fund which shall be known as the "Tony Pompelio Commemorative Scholarship Fund." The fund shall consist of all funds appropriated by the Legislature or otherwise made available for the Tony Pompelio Commemorative Scholarship Fund program.
b. The fund shall be administered by a board of trustees which shall consist of the executive director or a designee of the executive director, the chairman or a designee of the chairman and eight citizens of this State who have been crime victims or are family members of a crime victim. Citizen members of the board shall be selected by the chairman in consultation with the executive director, and without regard to political affiliation and, on the basis of their experience as crime victims or family members of a crime victim.
c. Each citizen member of the board shall serve for a term of four years and until a successor shall have been appointed and qualified. Any vacancy in the membership of the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.
d. Members of the board shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties.
e. The executive director or a designee of the executive director in conjunction with the chairman or a designee of the chairman shall serve as the chief executive officers of the fund and shall organize the work of the fund as deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.
L.2000,c.163,s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-57 - Board duties

18A:71B-57. Board duties
5. The board shall:
a. Develop and maintain a Statewide system for the identification of potential Pompelio scholars in cooperation with other State departments, agencies or public institutions of higher education in the State.
b. Recruit, select and provide financial assistance from the fund to Pompelio scholars who are residents of this State in order that they may be able to attend public institutions of higher education.
c. Communicate with departments and agencies of the United States on the availability of grants to this State for purposes related or similar to those set forth in this act.
d. Develop, establish and publicize criteria for the determination of eligibility for financial assistance from the fund.
e. Establish procedures for determining the amount of each award based on the total financial need of each Pompelio scholar and the resources available to the applicant to meet the costs of the applicant's higher education.
f. Annually report in writing to the authority on the performance of its duties in accordance with the provisions of this act.
g. Adopt bylaws, and make, enforce, alter and repeal rules for its own operation and for carrying out the provisions of this act.
h. Deposit in the fund and disburse from the fund such gifts and contributions as may be forthcoming from public and private sources.
L.2000,c.163,s.5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-58 - Awarding scholarships

18A:71B-58. Awarding scholarships
6. a. The board is hereby authorized to award scholarships from the fund to Pompelio scholars for undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree, associate degree, or other approved certificate at public institutions of higher education located in New Jersey.
b. Grants from the fund may be awarded annually upon proper application to the fund, to any Pompelio scholar who qualifies under the standards to be developed and promulgated by the board.
L.2000,c.163,s.6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-59 - Qualifications of applicant

18A:71B-59. Qualifications of applicant
7. a. No scholarship pursuant to this act shall be awarded to any applicant unless the applicant has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the board that he or she:
(1) Is and has been a resident of this State for at least 12 months prior to receiving the grant;
(2) Will be or is enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program of study leading to a degree or certificate at a public institution;
(3) Has complied with all rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this act by the board for the award, regulation and administration of grants from the fund.
b. In addition to the requirements of subsection a. of this section, the board is hereby authorized to require the satisfaction of such other requirements as it may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.
L.2000,c.163,s.7.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-61 - Eligibility restrictions

18A:71B-61. Eligibility restrictions
9. No person shall be eligible for scholarships pursuant to this act for more than four years, or for such other period of time as may be determined necessary by the board for the completion of an organized course of study. Each scholarship awarded pursuant to this act shall remain in effect only so long as the recipient achieves satisfactory academic progress as determined by the institution of attendance and demonstrates continued eligibility pursuant to this act.
L.2000,c.163,s.9.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-62 - Nondiscrimination in awards

18A:71B-62. Nondiscrimination in awards
10. Scholarships awarded pursuant to this act shall be awarded by the board without regard to race, creed, or religion and in such manner and amount as may be within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available.
L.2000,c.163,s.10.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-63 - Rules, regulations

18A:71B-63. Rules, regulations
11. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority shall adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) necessary for the administration of this act.
L.2000,c.163,s.11.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-82 - Findings relative to NJ STARS Program.

18A:71B-82 Findings relative to NJ STARS Program.
2. The Legislature finds that it is necessary for the State's citizens to acquire an education beyond the secondary level in order to succeed during the 21st century. A well-trained and educated population, moreover, is vital to New Jersey's efforts to attract and retain highly skilled businesses, and to ensure the State's continued economic well- being. It is therefore incumbent upon the Legislature to institute a program which will help high achieving students to pursue a post-secondary education.
L.2004,c.59,s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-83 - Definitions relative to NJ STARS Program.

18A:71B-83 Definitions relative to NJ STARS Program.
3. As used in this act:
"Authority" means the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority established pursuant to N.J.S.18A:71A-3.
"Full-time course of study" in any semester means a course of study, leading to a degree from the county college of enrollment, that includes at least 12 credit hours, not including any credit hours in a remedial or developmental curriculum.
"Program" means the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS) Program for county college students.
L.2004,c.59,s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-84 - NJ STARS Program.

18A:71B-84 NJ STARS Program.
4. There is hereby created the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS) Program for county college students. It shall be the duty of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to administer the program.
L.2004,c.59,s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-85a - County college students remain eligible for NJ STARS program.

18A:71B-85a County college students remain eligible for NJ STARS program.
3. Notwithstanding any law or regulation to the contrary, a student enrolled in a county college in the 2019-2020 academic year shall remain eligible for a scholarship under the NJ STARS Program in the third semester of county college enrollment. To remain eligible for the scholarship in the fourth and fifth semesters of county college enrollment, a student who was enrolled in the 2019-2020 academic year shall attain a grade point average of at least 3.0 by the start of the student's fourth semester of county college enrollment.
L.2020, c.31, s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-85.1 - College placement test to determine eligibility for program.

18A:71B-85.1 College placement test to determine eligibility for program.
2. a. Upon notice from the authority in a student's senior year of high school of conditional eligibility for the NJ STARS Program, a student who determines to pursue final eligibility for the program shall take a college placement test to determine readiness for college-level coursework. The test shall be selected by the New Jersey Council of County Colleges and administered by the county college of the county in which the student's school district is located at no cost to the student or the school district. A county college may enter into an agreement with the school district to administer the test at the high school or other selected site within the district.
b. A county college shall notify any student who does not achieve the required score on the placement test that the student requires remediation prior to pursuing county college coursework for credit under the NJ STARS Program. The student shall have the responsibility to address the identified deficiencies through such means as the student determines, including enrollment in remedial classes at the county college during the senior year of high school.
c. Upon graduation from high school, if a student meets the eligibility criteria for receipt of an NJ STARS scholarship but is not able to demonstrate the skill levels required to pursue courses for credit at a county college, the student shall not receive an NJ STARS scholarship until that ability is demonstrated. The student shall have one year from the September 1 next following the date of high school graduation to demonstrate such ability, and if at the end of the one-year period the student continues to require remediation, then the student shall lose eligibility for the NJ STARS Program. If during or at the end of the one-year period the student demonstrates the required ability, then the student shall be eligible for an NJ STARS scholarship for five semesters.
L.2008, c.124, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-85.2 - Option to take fewer credits; eligibility for NJ STARS scholarship.

18A:71B-85.2 Option to take fewer credits; eligibility for NJ STARS scholarship.
3. a. A student who receives an NJ STARS scholarship shall be eligible to take less than 12 credits in the final semester if the county college determines that the student needs to complete less than 12 credits in that semester to complete the degree program.
b. In the case of a student who is enrolled in an associate degree program regularly requiring six semesters, the student shall not receive an NJ STARS scholarship for the sixth semester but shall maintain eligibility for the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship II (NJ STARS II) Program established pursuant to P.L.2005, c.359 (C.18A:71B-86.1 et seq.), provided that the student meets the requirements for receipt of an NJ STARS II scholarship.
c. Beginning in the 2015-2016 academic year, a student shall be eligible to participate in the NJ STARS program and take less than 12 credits in a semester if: the student provides to the county college a written note from a physician or other licensed health care professional indicating the student's need to take a reduced number of credits due to a physical or mental health condition; or the student provides to the county college, in such form as determined by the authority, verification of the recent death of the student's parent or spouse. To receive an NJ STARS payment for the semester, a student who receives a medical exemption or an exemption due to the recent death of the student's parent or spouse from the full-time course of study requirement pursuant to this subsection shall enroll for a minimum of six credits in the semester. A student shall receive an additional semester of NJ STARS eligibility for each semester the student receives an exemption from the full-time course of study requirement pursuant to this subsection, not to exceed five additional semesters.
L.2008, c.124, s.3; amended 2017, c.360, s.2; 2019, c.232, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-85.3 - Application of college credits earned in high school.

18A:71B-85.3 Application of college credits earned in high school.
4. A student who is eligible for an NJ STARS scholarship who earned college credits while enrolled in high school may submit to the county college a transcript from the institution of higher education that awarded the credits. If the county college determines that the student's coursework is equivalent to that offered by the county college, then the county college shall apply the credits toward the award of the student's associate degree under the NJ STARS Program.
L.2008, c.124, s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-85.4 - Current recipients unaffected; exceptions.

18A:71B-85.4 Current recipients unaffected; exceptions.
5. a. In the case of a student who is receiving a scholarship under the NJ STARS Program on the effective date of P.L.2008, c.124 (C.18A:71B-85.1 et al.), the scholarship shall be administered and the student shall remain eligible for the program in accordance with the provisions of P.L.2004, c.59 (C.18A:71B-81 et seq.) as the same read before the effective date of P.L.2008, c.124 (C.18A:71B-85.1 et al.); except that a student who is in the first year of county college enrollment shall be required to attain at least a 3.25 cumulative grade point average upon graduation from a county college in order to qualify for the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship II (NJ STARS II) Program and a student who is in the second year of county college enrollment shall be required to attain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average upon graduation from a county college to qualify for NJ STARS II.
b. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of section 4 of P.L.2005, c.359 (C.18A:71B-86.4) to the contrary, in the case of a student who is in the second year of county college enrollment on the effective date of P.L.2008, c.124 (C.18A:71B-85.1 et al.) who attains a cumulative grade point average equal to or greater than 3.0 and less than 3.25 upon graduation from a county college and who meets all other requirements for receipt of an NJ STARS II scholarship, the amount of the scholarship for the student's third academic year of study shall equal up to $3,000 per semester.
L.2008, c.124, s.5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-85.5 - Provision of information to students relative to eligibility for NJ STARS.

18A:71B-85.5 Provision of information to students relative to eligibility for NJ STARS.
1. a. In September of each school year, the board of education of a school district or the chief school administrator of a nonpublic school shall provide each student in the 9th grade with general information on the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS) Program created pursuant to P.L.2004, c.59 (C.18A:71B-81 et seq.).
b. In September of each school year, the board of education of a school district or the chief school administrator of a nonpublic school shall notify each student in the 11th grade who is ranked in the top 25.0% of the class of his potential to qualify for the NJ STARS Program if the student's class rank at the completion of the 11th grade or 12th grade is within the top 15.0% of the class.
The notification shall include information about the rigorous course of study required to qualify for the program.
A student in the 12th grade shall be notified of conditional eligibility for the NJ STARS Program by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority in accordance with the provisions of section 2 of P.L.2008, c.124 (C.18A:71B-85.1).
c. The notification by the board of education or chief school administrator required pursuant to subsections a. and b. of this section shall be communicated via regular or electronic mail or sent home with the student and include a brief description of the NJ STARS Program and the requirements for eligibility for the program.
L.2009, c.280, s.1; amended 2014, c.55, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-85.5a - Requirements for scholarship.

18A:71B-85.5a Requirements for scholarship.
3. In the event that a student was notified of eligibility for a scholarship under the NJ STARS Program for the first year of enrollment in a county college in the 2013-2014 academic year based on the student's class rank at the completion of the 11th grade, the student shall be eligible for the scholarship in that academic year if the student meets the requirements of subsection c. of section 5 of P.L.2004, c.59 (C.18A:71B-85). The student shall be eligible for an NJ STARS scholarship after the first year of county college enrollment if the student attains a grade point average of at least 3.0 by the start of the student's second year of county college enrollment and if the student meets the requirements of subsection c. of section 5 of P.L.2004, c.59 (C.18A:71B-85).
L.2014, c.55, s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-85.6 - Annual recruitment day.

18A:71B-85.6 Annual recruitment day.
5. Each county college is encouraged to host an annual recruitment day and invite a representative from each four-year public and independent institution of higher education in the State for the purpose of recruiting students for the NJ STARS II Program.
L.2012, c.8, s.5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-85.7 - Current NJ STARS recipients unaffected.

18A:71B-85.7 Current NJ STARS recipients unaffected.
6. In the case of a student who is receiving a scholarship under the NJ STARS Program on the effective date of P.L.2012, c.8 (C.18A:71B-85.6 et al.) and who graduated from high school prior to 2010, the student shall receive an NJ STARS scholarship in accordance with the provisions of P.L.2004, c.59 (C.18A:71B-81 et seq.) as the same read before the effective date of P.L.2012, c.8 (C.18A:71B-85.6 et al.).
L.2012, c.8, s.6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-86 - Report to Legislature, Governor on NJSTARS Program; guidelines rules, regulations.

18A:71B-86 Report to Legislature, Governor on NJSTARS Program; guidelines rules, regulations.
6. a. Not later than September 30,2006, the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority shall prepare and submit to the Legislature and the Governor a report on the implementation of the NJ STARS Program at the several county colleges. The report shall, for each college, set forth statistics on and include an analysis of student participation in the program at the college, the amounts of funding provided under the program to students enrolled at the college, the amounts of funding made available to those participating students from State sources other than the NJ STARS Program and from federal and institutional sources, and such other factors as the authority deems to be necessary or useful to the evaluation of the program.
b. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority shall administer the provisions of this act and shall establish appropriate criteria, procedures, and guidelines for awarding New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarships to eligible students in accordance with the provisions of this act. 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 this act.
L.2004,c.59,s.6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-86.2 - Definitions relative to NJ STARS II Program.

18A:71B-86.2 Definitions relative to NJ STARS II Program.
2. As used in this act:
"Authority" means the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority established pursuant to N.J.S.18A:71A-3.
"Full-time course of study" in any semester means a course of study that includes at least 12 credit hours, not including any credit hours in a remedial or developmental curriculum, and leads to a degree from a New Jersey four-year public or independent institution of higher education.
"Program" means the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship II (NJ STARS II) Program.
L.2005, c.359, s.2; amended 2012, c.8, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-86.3 - NJ STARS II Program created.

18A:71B-86.3 NJ STARS II Program created.
3. There is hereby created the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship II (NJ STARS II) Program. It shall be the duty of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to administer the program.
L.2005,c.359,s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-86.4a - Eligibility of certain NJ STARS II recipients.

18A:71B-86.4a Eligibility of certain NJ STARS II recipients.
9. In the case of a student who is receiving a scholarship under the NJ STARS II Program and is in the third academic year of study at a public institution of higher education on the effective date of P.L.2008, c.124 (C.18A:71B-85.1 et al.), the scholarship shall be administered and the student shall remain eligible for the program in accordance with the provisions of P.L.2005, c.359 (C.18A:71B-86.1 et seq.) as the same read before the effective date of P.L.2008, c.124 (C.18A:71B-85.1 et al.).
L.2008, c.124, s.9.