Bill > S2319

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the "New Jersey College Ready Students Program Act." Under the bill, the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Higher Education, is directed to establish a program to provide for the tuition-free enrollment of certain public high school students who enroll in dual enrollment courses at a local county college. In determining eligibility for the tuition benefit provided pursuant to the bill, the criteria will be the same as the Statewide eligibility standards regarding family need established by the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund to qualify for financial assistance from the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund. A student may receive up to 3 credits tuition-free per semester, and no more than 6 credits tuition-free in a school year in each of the 11th and 12th grades provided that: (1) the school district in which the student is enrolled has entered into a dual enrollment agreement with a county college pursuant to the provisions of State law; and (2) the student has earned a minimum grade point average to indicate college readiness, as determined by the commissioner. In order to maintain eligibility for the program, a student shall receive a grade of C or higher for all college courses completed through the program. In the event that an otherwise eligible student does not meet the minimum grade point average requirement established pursuant to this section, the student shall be eligible to complete one remedial course through the county college tuition-free per semester of eligibility. Under the bill, the State will bear the cost of tuition for students who participate in the program. The Commissioner of Education is directed to annually submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature on the program.

Committee Categories

Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee (on 03/21/2022)

Official Document