Bill > A4220

This bill modifies New Jersey's statewide transfer agreements for higher education by establishing a New Jersey Transfer Ombudsperson within the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. The bill expands and clarifies the existing transfer agreements between public institutions of higher education, including provisions for transferring academic credits from county colleges to four-year institutions, credits earned through dual and concurrent enrollment programs, and general education courses. The new Ombudsperson will serve as a resource and potential mediator for students and institutions regarding credit transfer disputes, prepare annual reports on transfer student data, and conduct periodic reviews of the transfer agreement. Key changes include expanding the scope of transferable credits, ensuring more comprehensive credit transfer policies, and creating a neutral party to help resolve potential conflicts between students and institutions. The bill also requires institutions to provide transfer students with data on program outcomes and completion rates for transferred students. The Ombudsperson is explicitly prohibited from compelling institutions to accept academic credits, but can provide recommendations and mediation to facilitate smoother credit transfers across New Jersey's higher education institutions.