reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-86.4b - Current NJ STARS II recipients unaffected.

18A:71B-86.4b Current NJ STARS II recipients unaffected.
7. In the case of a student who is receiving a scholarship under the NJ STARS II Program in the 2011-2012 academic year and is in the third academic year of study or was eligible to receive an NJ STARS II scholarship in the 2011-2012 academic year for the third academic year of study but did not receive the scholarship because the student's tuition or tuition and fees, as applicable, was fully covered by other available forms of State and federal need-based grants and merit scholarships, the student shall receive an NJ STARS II scholarship for the student's fourth academic year of study 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.2012, c.8 (C.18A:71B-85.6 et al.).
L.2012, c.8, s.7.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-86.4c - County college student to maintain certain cumulative average for eligibility for NJ STARS II program.

18A:71B-86.4c County college student to maintain certain cumulative average for eligibility for NJ STARS II program.
4. a. Notwithstanding any law or regulation to the contrary, a student enrolled in a county college in the 2019-2020 academic year shall attain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 upon graduation from the county college to be eligible for a scholarship under the NJ STARS II Program for the student's third academic year of study.
b. Notwithstanding any law or regulation to the contrary, a student enrolled in a four-year institution of higher education in the 2019-2020 academic year shall remain eligible for a scholarship under the NJ STARS II Program in his third semester of study at a four-year institution. To remain eligible for a scholarship in the fourth semester of study, a student who was enrolled in the 2019-2020 academic year shall attain a grade point average of at least a 3.25 based on the student's performance during the first three semesters of study at the four-year institution.
L.2020, c.31, s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-86.5 - Transfer of academic credits.

18A:71B-86.5 Transfer of academic credits.
5. The policies and procedures set forth in the Statewide transfer agreement established pursuant to P.L.2007, c.175 (C.18A:62-46 et seq.) shall govern the transfer of academic credits awarded by a county college to an NJ STARS student who subsequently enrolls in a four-year public institution of higher education and is participating in the NJ STARS II Program at the institution.
L.2005, c.359, s.5; amended 2008, c.124, s.7.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-86.6 - Report to Governor, Legislature; authority regulations.

18A:71B-86.6 Report to Governor, Legislature; authority regulations.
6. a. Not later than September 30, 2008, the authority shall prepare and submit to the Legislature and the Governor a report on the implementation of the NJ STARS II Program at the four-year public institutions of higher education. The report shall, for each institution, set forth statistics on and include an analysis of student participation in the program at the institution, the amounts of funding provided under the program to students enrolled at the institution, the amounts of funding made available to those participating students from State sources other than the NJ STARS II 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. The report shall set forth the number of students participating in the program Statewide, including such statistical and demographic information as may be relevant and appropriate.
b. The authority shall administer the provisions of this act and shall establish appropriate criteria, procedures, and guidelines for awarding New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward II 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.2005,c.359,s.6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-86.7 - Construction of act relative to application, admissions procedures.

18A:71B-86.7 Construction of act relative to application, admissions procedures.
7. Nothing in this act shall be construed to require a four-year public or independent institution of higher education to admit a student eligible for a scholarship under this act or to waive its admission standards and application procedures; except that the institution shall apply the same admission standards and application procedures that it applies to all other transfer students.
L.2005, c.359, s.7; amended 2008, c.124, s.8; 2012, c.8, s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-88 - Findings, declarations relative to social services student loan redemption.

18A:71B-88 Findings, declarations relative to social services student loan redemption.
2. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. A qualified and stable work force in public facilities and nonprofit social services agencies is essential to ensure the provision of quality services to persons in need of services, including persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities or other disabilities, persons in need of substance use disorder treatment and juveniles under the custody and care of the Juvenile Justice Commission;
b. These public facilities and social services agencies are currently facing a personnel crisis, which is expected to worsen in the next two decades;
c. The entry-level and on-going salaries offered by these public facilities and social services agencies to direct care professionals are not always competitive with those offered in the private for profit sector, which limits the ability of these facilities and agencies to attract and retain qualified direct care professionals;
d. Loan redemption programs can address the economic hardship of direct care professionals performing critical work in low-paying jobs, who in many instances are forced, because of their high loan debt and low incomes, to reject or abandon employment in the public sector, which is in great need of their skills and knowledge, for employment that is more financially rewarding;
e. The departure of these skilled direct care professionals from the public and nonprofit sector is, in many cases, a loss to their own sense of personal fulfillment, to the consumers that they serve, and to society at large; and
f. The establishment by this State of a loan redemption program for direct care professionals employed in public facilities and nonprofit agencies that contract with the Department of Human Services and the Juvenile Justice Commission is essential to address the need for the continued provision of high-quality services by these skilled and knowledgeable professionals.
L.2005, c.157, s.2; amended 2023, c.177, s.52.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-89 - Definitions relative to social sciences student loan redemption.

18A:71B-89 Definitions relative to social sciences student loan redemption.
3. As used in this act:
"Approved course of study" means: an undergraduate program leading to a bachelor's degree offered by a four-year public or independent institution of higher education; or a graduate program leading to a master's degree, which is offered by a public or independent institution of higher education, in a human services discipline such as social work, psychology or counseling, or a health-related profession such as occupational, physical or speech therapy.
"Approved employment" means postgraduate, full-time employment as a direct care professional in a qualified facility. The term shall not include a paid student internship, paid fellowship, volunteer service or employment before graduation.
"Authority" means the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority established pursuant to N.J.S.18A:71A-3.
"Direct care professional" means a professional staff member at a qualified facility who provides one or more of the following services to eligible persons: counseling; physical, occupational, recreational or speech therapy; case management; vocational training; assistance with activities of daily living; medication management; budgeting assistance; addiction treatment services; nutrition; and other clinical services.
"Eligible student loan expenses" mean the cumulative total of the annual student loans, covering the cost of attendance while enrolled in an approved course of study. Interest paid or due on student loans that a program participant has taken out for use in paying the costs of attendance at an institution of higher education shall be considered eligible for reimbursement under the program.
"Program" means the Social Services Student Loan Redemption Program established pursuant to this act.
"Program participant" means a person who meets the requirements of the program.
"Qualified facility" means:
a. a facility operated by the Department of Human Services that provides direct care services to persons served by the department;
b. a county psychiatric hospital;
c. a facility operated by the Juvenile Justice Commission;
d. a veterans' memorial home operated by the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs; and
e. a nonprofit agency in the State that contracts with the Department of Human Services or the Juvenile Justice Commission to provide direct care services to persons served by the department or commission.
L.2005,c.157,s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-90 - Social Services Student Loan Redemption Program.

18A:71B-90 Social Services Student Loan Redemption Program.
4. There is established the Social Services Student Loan Redemption Program within the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.
The purpose of the program is to address the current and projected critical shortage of direct care professionals in the State by providing an incentive for persons to engage in employment at certain public facilities, and nonprofit social services agencies under contract with the Department of Human Services or the Juvenile Justice Commission, so as to ensure that State residents who are in need of direct care services at these facilities and agencies have sufficient, qualified professional staff in order to provide the needed services.
The program shall provide loan redemption to finance the undergraduate or graduate study of program participants in exchange for full-time employment as a direct care professional at a qualified facility following completion of an approved course of study.
L.2005,c.157,s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-91 - Eligibility for participation in program.

18A:71B-91 Eligibility for participation in program.
5. To be eligible to participate in the program, a direct care professional shall:
a. be a resident of the State and maintain domicile in the State during participation in the program;
b. have successfully completed an approved course of study within a one-year period prior to being hired as a full-time direct care professional at a qualified facility;
c. have been initially hired as a full-time direct care professional at a qualified facility on or after the date of enactment of this act; and
d. have an outstanding balance with a State or federal student loan program and not be in default on any student loan.
L.2005,c.157,s.5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-92 - Application for loan redemption.

18A:71B-92 Application for loan redemption.
6. An eligible direct care professional may apply to the authority for a loan redemption in such a manner as the authority prescribes and shall include all information and documentation required by the authority.
a. A program participant shall enter into a written contract with the authority to participate in the program. The contract shall specify the duration of the applicant's required service and the total amount of eligible student loan expenses to be redeemed by the State in return for service.
b. The redemption of loans under the program shall not exceed $5,000 of principal and interest of eligible student loan expenses for each full year of service satisfactorily completed by the program participant. The total loan redemption amount for a program participant, for four years of service, shall not exceed $20,000. No amount of loan redemption shall be provided for service performed for less than a full year.
c. The period of service shall commence on or after the date of enactment of this act.
L.2005,c.157,s.6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-93 - Nullification of redemption contract.

18A:71B-93 Nullification of redemption contract.
7. a. A program participant who has entered into a redemption contract with the authority may nullify that contract by submitting written notification to the authority and assuming full responsibility for repayment of the full amount of the participant's loan or that portion of the loan that has not been redeemed by the State in return for partial fulfillment of the contract.
b. In the case of a program participant's death or total or permanent disability, the authority shall nullify the service obligation of the participant, thereby terminating the participant's service obligation; or where continued enforcement of the contract may result in extreme hardship, the authority may nullify or suspend the participant's service obligation.
L.2005,c.157,s.7.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-94 - Loan forgiveness awards.

18A:71B-94 Loan forgiveness awards.
8. The authority shall grant loan forgiveness awards subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this purpose, of which funds, 80% shall be allocated to provide loan redemption to finance the undergraduate study of program participants and 20% shall be allocated to provide loan redemption to finance the graduate study of program participants.
L.2005,c.157,s.8.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-95 - Annual report.

18A:71B-95 Annual report.
9. The authority shall annually submit a report on the program to the Governor and the chairmen of the Senate Budget and Appropriations, Assembly Appropriations, Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens, and Assembly Health and Human Services committees, or their successor committees. The report shall be submitted no later than August 1 of each year and shall include, but not be limited to, the following information for the prior fiscal year:
a. the total number of participants receiving loan redemption under the program;
b. the approved course of study of each of the participants; and
c. the total number of participants who withdrew from the program and failed to complete the program's employment requirement.
L.2005,c.157,s.9.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-96 - Rules, regulations.

18A:71B-96 Rules, regulations.
10. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services and the executive director of the Juvenile Justice Commission, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) shall adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act, including eligibility criteria for the program, procedures for determining the amount of the loan redemption award, and the types of direct care professional positions that qualify for the program.
L.2005,c.157,s.10.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-97 - Filling of direct care professional position with persons having degrees.

18A:71B-97 Filling of direct care professional position with persons having degrees.
11. To better ensure the effectiveness of the program, any agency of the State, any political subdivision thereof, and any nonprofit agency in the State, that operates a qualified facility, or provides services under contract funded in whole or in part with State funds at a qualified facility shall make the greatest possible good faith effort to fill any direct care professional position at the qualified facility with a person having an undergraduate or graduate degree in a human services discipline, such as social work, psychology or counseling, or in a health-related profession such as occupational, physical, or speech therapy.
L.2005,c.157,s.11.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-99 - Military Dependents Scholarship Fund.

18A:71B-99 Military Dependents Scholarship Fund.
2. a. There is established in the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority a nonlapsing fund which shall be known as the Military Dependents Scholarship Fund. The fund shall be administered by the board of trustees established pursuant to section 3 of this act.
b. The fund shall consist of: all moneys appropriated by the Legislature for inclusion in the fund; investment earnings of the fund; and moneys contributed to the fund by private sources, to be used for the purposes of this act.
c. The moneys in the fund shall be invested and reinvested by the Director of the Division of Investment in the Department of the Treasury.
L.2015, c.117, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-100 - Board of trustees.

18A:71B-100 Board of trustees.
3. a. The board of trustees of the Military Dependents Scholarship Fund shall consist of the State Adjutant General, or a designee, the State Treasurer, or a designee, the executive director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, or a designee, the Secretary of Higher Education, or a designee, and nine public members appointed as follows: two by the President of the Senate, who shall not be of the same political party, two by the Speaker of the General Assembly, who shall not be of the same political party, and five by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, no more than three of whom shall be of the same political party. At least five of the public members shall be persons who were directly affected by Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn. Two of the public members shall be named by the Governor to serve as co-chairpersons of the board.
b. Each public member of the board shall serve for a term of three years and until a successor shall have been appointed and qualified; except that of the first members appointed, two shall serve for one year, three shall serve for two years and four shall serve for three years. 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.
c. Members of the board shall serve without compensation. Reasonable expenses of the board shall be paid out of the fund proceeds, subject to approval by the State Treasurer.
d. The board shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(1) determine eligibility for a scholarship from the fund;
(2) determine the amount of each scholarship award;
(3) report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on the performance of its duties in accordance with the provisions of this act;
(4) solicit and raise private funds to finance the Military Dependents Scholarship program; and
(5) receive and disburse such contributions to the fund as may be forthcoming from private and public sources.
L.2015, c.117, s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-101 - Awarding of scholarships.

18A:71B-101 Awarding of scholarships.
4. a. The board of trustees is authorized to award scholarships from the fund for the costs of undergraduate study at a public or independent institution of higher education to the spouse, child, or other eligible dependent of a New Jersey resident who is killed, officially listed as "Missing in Action" by the United States Department of Defense, or totally and permanently disabled as certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a consequence of Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn.
b. Scholarships from the fund may be awarded annually upon proper application by any student who qualifies under the criteria established by the authority.
L.2015, c.117, s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-102 - Qualifications for award of scholarship.

18A:71B-102 Qualifications for award of scholarship.
5. a. A Military Dependents Scholarship shall not be awarded to an applicant unless the applicant has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the board that the applicant:
(1) will be or is enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program of study leading to a degree at an institution of higher education; and
(2) has complied with all rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this act for the award, regulation and administration of scholarships from the fund.
b. Eligibility for a Military Survivors Scholarship, in the case of a spouse or other eligible dependent, shall be limited to a period of 15 years from the date of death of the person, the date the person is officially listed as "Missing in Action" or the date upon which the person is certified to have been totally and permanently disabled for initial receipt of the benefits under the program. In the case of a dependent child, eligibility shall be limited to a period of eight years following graduation from high school.
L.2015, c.117, s.5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-103 - Rules, regulations.

18A:71B-103 Rules, regulations.
6. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, in consultation with the Secretary of Higher Education, shall adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act, including establishing criteria for eligibility for a scholarship from the fund and procedures for determining the amount of each scholarship award.
L.2015, c.117, s.6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-104 - Definitions relative to engineering and science careers.

18A:71B-104 Definitions relative to engineering and science careers.
1. As used in this act:
"Partner high school" means a high school that has been selected for participation in the New Jersey "Accessing Careers in Engineering and Science (ACES) Program" pursuant to subsection a. of section 3 of this act.
"Public or independent research university" means Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Rowan University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Montclair State University, Kean University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Princeton University, and Seton Hall University.
"Underrepresented student" means a student who is a member of an underserved community or a member of a group that is underrepresented in the STEM fields.
L.2019, c.431, s.1; amended 2021, c.282, s.60.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-105 - "Accessing Careers in Engineering and Science (ACES) Program."

18A:71B-105 "Accessing Careers in Engineering and Science (ACES) Program."
2. a. The Secretary of Higher Education shall establish the New Jersey "Accessing Careers in Engineering and Science (ACES) Program." The purposes of the program are to increase the participation of underrepresented students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields; and to develop a larger and more diverse STEM workforce in the State. The ACES Program shall consist of two components: (1) a residential pre-college summer program for selected high school students established pursuant to section 3 of this act; and (2) an undergraduate ACES Scholar program established pursuant to section 4 of this act.
b. The secretary shall select up to eight public or independent research universities in New Jersey to implement the ACES Program, based upon the university's interest in participating in the program and subject to the availability of funds. A public or independent research university that wants to participate shall submit an application to the secretary, which includes a proposal for implementing both the pre-college summer program and the undergraduate ACES Scholar program in accordance with sections 3 and 4 of this act. The university's proposal shall also include the university's plans for funding its share of the program costs and for obtaining the necessary private sector funding pursuant to section 5 of this act.
L.2019, c.431, s.2; amended 2021, c.282, s.61.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-106 - Residential pre-college summer program.

18A:71B-106 Residential pre-college summer program.
3. a. Each research university that participates in the ACES Program shall establish a residential pre-college summer program for selected underrepresented high school students who attend a partner high school. Partner high schools shall be selected by the research university, in consultation with the Secretary of Higher Education, based on certain criteria including the high school's population of underrepresented students, socioeconomic status, the availability of rigorous STEM coursework, and a supportive school administration. During each school year, teachers and school counselors at a partner high school shall identify and nominate talented underrepresented students for participation in the ACES pre-college program for the upcoming summer. Each student who is selected for the pre-college summer program shall receive a tuition-free scholarship to participate in the program and travel stipends, if necessary.
b. The ACES pre-college summer program at each participating research university shall consist of a one or two-week immersive, residential program that introduces high school students to a range of topics in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology in a hands-on learning environment. The program shall provide the students with exposure to the college experience and encourage the students to pursue an education in the STEM fields. The pre-college summer program and follow-up activities at each participating research university shall include, at a minimum, the following components:
(1) exposure to the STEM disciplines with a focus on hands-on learning;
(2) engagement with faculty, staff, and current students at the university during and after the pre-college summer program;
(3) counseling on the college admissions and financial aid processes;
(4) introduction to successful university graduates who work in the STEM fields in New Jersey, including corporate site visits to STEM and technology companies;
(5) customized college visit days during the college admissions process for students who attended the pre-college summer program; and
(6) professional development programs for teachers and school counselors at the partner high schools.
L.2019, c.431, s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-107 - Undergraduate ACES Scholar program.

18A:71B-107 Undergraduate ACES Scholar program.
4. a. Each research university that participates in the ACES Program shall establish an undergraduate ACES Scholar program, which provides talented underrepresented students who have been accepted for admission to the university and who are interested in pursuing a degree in a STEM discipline, with generous financial aid packages and enhanced academic support as they pursue their baccalaureate degrees. In selecting students for participation in the undergraduate ACES Scholar program, the university may give preference to students who previously participated in the ACES pre-college summer program.
b. The undergraduate ACES Scholar program at each participating research university shall include, at a minimum, the following components:
(1) admissions and financial aid workshops for high school students interested in applying for the undergraduate ACES Scholar program;
(2) a substantial scholarship package for each student selected to participate in the ACES Scholar program, including support for tuition, fees, and living expenses;
(3) customized campus visit days for the ACES Scholars and their families;
(4) enhanced academic support services for the ACES Scholars throughout the pursuit of their college degrees;
(5) mentorship programs, including faculty and peer mentoring;
(6) alumni networking opportunities;
(7) opportunities for co-operative education and internship programs with New Jersey STEM companies; and
(8) any other services as determined by the research university to assist the ACES Scholars in acclimating to college and succeeding as they pursue their STEM degrees.
c. The Secretary of Higher Education may require, as a condition of participating in the ACES Scholar program and receiving scholarship funds, that the participating students commit to working in the State of New Jersey for four years after graduating from the research university.
L.2019, c.431, s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-108 - Funding.

18A:71B-108 Funding.
5. The New Jersey ACES Program established pursuant to this act shall be funded equally by three sectors: the State of New Jersey; the participating public or independent research universities; and the State's private sector. The State shall fund one-third of the annual total program costs through appropriations, and the participating research universities shall fund one-third of the annual total program costs. The participating research universities shall be responsible for soliciting and securing the remaining one-third of program costs from the New Jersey private sector including corporations and companies representative of the STEM industry.
L.2019, c.431, s.5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-109 - Annual report.

18A:71B-109 Annual report.
6. Each research university that participates in the ACES Program shall annually submit a report on the program to the Secretary of Higher Education in a time and manner as determined by the secretary. The report shall include, but not be limited to:
a. the number of eligible underrepresented students who were nominated for the pre-college summer program and who applied for admission to the university;
b. the number of eligible underrepresented students who participated in the pre-college summer program and who enrolled in the university;
c. the number and percentage of pre-college summer program students who participated in the undergraduate ACES Scholar program;
d. the number and percentage of pre-college summer program students who enrolled in a STEM undergraduate degree program;
e. the annual retention rate of undergraduate students who enrolled in the university after participating in the pre-college summer program;
f. the graduation rate and employment data for students who participated in the undergraduate ACES Scholar program, including the corporations and companies employing the students; and
g. the amount of private funding secured by the university from the State's private sector, including from corporations and companies representative of the STEM industry.
L.2019, c.431, s.6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-110 - Rules, regulations.

18A:71B-110 Rules, regulations.
7. The Secretary of Higher Education shall adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.
L.2019, c.431, s.7.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-111 - Definitions relative to financial aid for county college students.

18A:71B-111 Definitions relative to financial aid for county college students.
1. As used in this act:
"Annual adjusted gross income" means:
a. for a dependent student, the annual adjusted gross income of the student's parent or legal guardian, as reported on the student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid or other financial aid form; and
b. for an independent student, the annual adjusted gross income of the student and, if applicable, the spouse of the student, as reported on the student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid or other financial aid form.
"Approved educational fees" means general education fees, registration fees, facility fees, technology fees, laboratory fees, student service and activity fees, and program and course fees, including fees associated with coursework in nursing, culinary, and other career and technical education programs as determined by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority in consultation with the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education , subject to the limit of funds appropriated or otherwise made available for the program.
"Authority" means the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority established pursuant to N.J.S.18A:71A-3.
"Out-of-county college" means a county college that is outside of a student's county of residence.
"Program" means the Community College Opportunity Grant Program created pursuant to section 2 of this act.
"Three plus one degree program" means a baccalaureate degree program created pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2018, c.144 (C.18A:3B-78).
L.2021, c.26, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-112 - Community College Opportunity Grant Program.

18A:71B-112 Community College Opportunity Grant Program.
2. There is hereby created the Community College Opportunity Grant Program. The purpose of the program shall be to provide financial aid grants to eligible county college students, to cover the costs of tuition and approved educational fees that are not already covered by any other State, federal, and institutional need-based grants or merit scholarships and to provide county colleges with Student Success Incentive funding for outreach and student success initiatives. The financial aid grants distributed to eligible students under the program shall be administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, while the Student Success Incentive funding distributed to county colleges under the program shall be administered by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.
L.2021, c.26, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-114 - Amount of grant distributed.

18A:71B-114 Amount of grant distributed.
4. a. A grant distributed to an eligible student under the Community College Opportunity Grant Program shall cover the remaining cost of tuition and approved educational fees, which is not covered by State, federal, or any other need-based grant or merit scholarship, for up to 18 credits in any semester. The full amount of State, federal, and institutional need-based grant or merit scholarships received by an eligible student shall be applied to the amount of tuition and approved educational fees charged to an eligible student. The remaining balance of tuition and approved educational fees shall be covered by a grant under the program.
b. A full award under the program to a student at a county college shall be equal to the student's full cost of approved tuition and approved educational fees, subject to the prior application of all other State, federal, and institutional need-based grants and merit scholarships against those costs, for up to 18 credits in any semester, for an eligible student for a full-time semester in an associate's degree, certificate, or three plus one degree program. For an eligible student enrolled in at least six credits but less than 12 credits in an associate's degree, certificate, or three plus one degree program, a grant under the program shall be pro-rated from the full-time approved tuition and approved educational fees based on the number of credits for which that student is enrolled.
c. The authority shall, for each county college, annually establish a maximum individual grant amount awarded under the program. The maximum individual grant amount for each county college shall not increase by more than three percent over the prior year.
L.2021, c.26, s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-115 - Annual appropriation.

18A:71B-115 Annual appropriation.
5. a. The Legislature shall annually appropriate to the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education such funds as may be necessary for Student Success Incentive funding to provide capacity-building grants to each county college to support the goals of the Community College Opportunity Grant Program. The Secretary of Higher Education shall distribute funding made available pursuant to this section to county colleges for outreach, recruitment, and promoting the success of county college students. The secretary shall establish the purposes for which a county college may use a grant received pursuant to this section, which shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) establishing mentorship programs;
(2) hosting events to assist students and families in completing financial aid applications; and
(3) addressing students' material hardships, such as lack of access to food, medical care, housing, child care, and transportation.
b. The secretary shall distribute the funding made available pursuant to this section. The secretary may retain up to five percent of the funding for grant administration activities designed to increase the effectiveness of the program. Fifty percent of the remaining appropriation shall be distributed equally among all of the county colleges, while the other fifty percent of the remaining appropriation shall be distributed based on the total number of students at each county college who received awards under the program during the previous academic year.
L.2021, c.26, s.5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-116 - Rules, regulations.

18A:71B-116 Rules, regulations.
6. 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 1 through 4 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 5 of this act.
L.2021, c.26, s.6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-117 - Findings, declarations relative to eligibility for certain programs.

18A:71B-117 Findings, declarations relative to eligibility for certain programs.
1. The Legislature finds and declares that the State spends considerable funds on educational institutions, including proprietary schools, training providers, and other postsecondary schools. It is in the State's interests to ensure that State funds going to schools, training providers, or their students, are funding consistently high-quality educational experiences, but the State does not have the resources to monitor these programs daily. Instead, to ensure that limited State funds are expended on high-quality programs, the State depends on students' ability to effectively vindicate their rights under State and federal law in litigation against educational institutions that are or may receive funds. Lawsuits like these deter the misuse of State funds without the expenditure of State resources on enforcement, and public filings resulting from such litigation may be monitored by the State to assess whether it is spending its limited funds appropriately.
The Legislature further finds and declares that such educational institutions frequently require their students to sign enrollment contracts that include forced arbitration and other restrictive clauses, including clauses that require students to waive their right to participate in a class action against the company. These clauses impede students from being able to sue to enforce State and federal law against their educational institutions, and the few private and individual arbitrations that students are able to file against educational institutions are not publicly filed and available for monitoring by the State.
L.2021, c.53, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71B-118 - Eligibility contingent on actions of institution, school.

18A:71B-118 Eligibility contingent on actions of institution, school.
2. a. A student enrolled in a public or independent institution of higher education or a proprietary institution licensed to offer academic degrees shall be ineligible to receive any form of student assistance from the State, including grants, scholarships, and loans, in the event that the institution or school requires the student to:
(1) submit to an agreement to arbitrate or to an arbitration proceeding to resolve any matter thereafter relating to the student's enrollment prior to the commencement of any legal action;
(2) resolve a complaint relating to the student's enrollment through an internal dispute process;
(3) waive any right, forum, or procedure afforded to the student, including any right to file and pursue a civil action, class action or a complaint with, or otherwise notify, any State agency, other public prosecutor, law enforcement agency, or any court or other governmental entity of any alleged violation of the student's rights; or
(4) be prohibited from disclosing, discussing, describing, or commenting upon the terms of the student's enrollment agreement or any violation thereof.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit a student from receiving any form of student assistance from the State for which the student is eligible at a different institution of higher education or proprietary institution licensed to offer academic degrees.
b. A public or independent institution of higher education or a proprietary institution licensed to offer academic degrees shall not threaten, retaliate, or discriminate against any student because of the refusal by the student to: consent to an agreement to arbitrate or to an arbitration proceeding; resolve a complaint through an internal dispute process; waive any right, forum, or procedure; or consent to a prohibition to disclose, discuss, describe or comment upon any enrollment agreement terms or violations thereof.
c. A public or independent institution of higher education or a proprietary institution licensed to offer academic degrees shall not require a student to opt out of a waiver or take any affirmative action in order to preserve his rights pursuant to this section.
d. In the event that a public or independent institution of higher education or a proprietary institution licensed to offer academic degrees requires a student to enter into an enrollment contract or similar agreement, the institution shall annually submit such contracts or agreements to the Secretary of Higher Education.
e. Nothing in this act shall be construed to invalidate a written arbitration agreement that is otherwise enforceable under the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C.s.1 et seq.).
L.2021, c.53, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-1 - Administration by the authority.

18A:71C-1 Administration by the authority.
18A:71C-1. Administration by the authority.
It shall be the duty of the authority to administer the Federal Family Education Loan Program for this State. The authority shall adopt rules and regulations, and prescribe and provide appropriate forms for application as may be necessary or appropriate for administering the programs of a State guaranty agency, pursuant to 20 U.S.C.s.1071 et seq.
As used in this act:
"Federal Family Education Loan" (FFEL) program means the programs of the United States government making low interest loans available to students or parents of students to pay for their cost of attending post-secondary institutions established pursuant to 20 U.S.C.s.1071.
"Federal loan" or "FFEL Loan" means any loan made under the FFEL program.
"Guaranty agency" means any State agency or not-for-profit corporation which has entered into an agreement with the United States Secretary of Education to guarantee loans made under the FFEL program and which guarantees loans to eligible residents and nonresidents of this State.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-2 - Application; grounds for approval.

18A:71C-2 Application; grounds for approval.
18A:71C-2. Application; Grounds for Approval.
Any application for a federal loan under this article shall be submitted to the authority for its approval, and the authority shall approve the application only if it finds that the applicant is an eligible borrower under the "Higher Education Act of 1965," Pub.L.89-329 (20 U.S.C.s.1001 et seq.), and implementing rules and regulations, and has complied with all rules adopted by the authority pursuant to this article in connection with the granting of the loans.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-3 - Approval and granting of federal loan.

18A:71C-3 Approval and granting of federal loan.
18A:71C-3. Approval and Granting of Federal Loan.
Upon approval by the authority of a federal loan application, any eligible lender may make a loan as approved and upon the terms and conditions required under this article, but no moneys shall be advanced or paid under any loan until the applicant has satisfied the authority, and the eligible institution certifies to the lender that the applicant, or the person on behalf of whom the parent is the applicant, has been admitted to, or is in regular attendance and in good standing at, an eligible institution located in this State or elsewhere. Any lender making a loan shall cooperate with the authority in supervising the use of credit in accordance with its purposes. If disbursement of loan proceeds is in the form of a check, the check representing the loan proceeds shall be made payable to the applicant and the eligible institution jointly, except when the applicant is attending an eligible institution not located in the United States, in which instance the check may be made payable to the applicant only. Disbursement may also be made by master check, electronic funds transfer, or other methods permitted under 20 U.S.C.s.1071 et seq.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-4 - Federal loan evidenced by note; interest rate; method of payment; security.

18A:71C-4 Federal loan evidenced by note; interest rate; method of payment; security.
18A:71C-4. Federal Loan Evidenced by Note; Interest Rate; Method of Payment; Security.
Each federal loan made under this article shall:
a. be evidenced by a note or other obligation approved by the authority;
b. bear interest at a rate not exceeding the maximum percentage per annum permitted under 20 U.S.C.s.1071 et seq. and implementing rules and regulations;
c. be payable in such manner or in such installments as permitted under 20 U.S.C.s.1071 et seq. and implementing rules and regulations; and
d. be secured only by the personal liability of the maker, and not by any endorsers, co-maker's collateral, or other security, except as may be permitted under 20 U.S.C.s.1071 et seq. and implementing rules and regulations.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-5 - Extension and refinancing of federal loans.

18A:71C-5 Extension and refinancing of federal loans.
18A:71C-5. Extension and Refinancing of Federal Loans.
Any loan made under this article may be extended or refinanced at the discretion of the lender without affecting the obligation of the authority hereunder for such period and under such terms as permitted under 20 U.S.C.s.1071 et seq. and implementing rules and regulations, and any loan may be reduced at any time at the option of the borrower.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.