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Bill > S1462
NJ S1462
NJ S1462Revises NJBEST one-time grant to annual grant of up to $1,500 for certain contributors.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill increases the New Jersey Better Educational Savings Trust (NJBEST) grant from a one-time $750 matching grant to an annual $1,500 savings incentive grant for certain contributors. Current law establishes that a NJBEST account opened on or after June 29, 2021 that is owned by a taxpayer with an adjusted gross income below $75,000 may receive a dollar-for-dollar match grant of the initial deposit, up to $750. Under the bill, a NJBEST account that has a contributor with an adjusted gross income ranging from $0 to $75,000 may receive an annual savings incentive grant of up to $1,500 until the designated beneficiary is 14 years of age. The amount of the grant is to be equal to three dollars for every dollar the account owner deposits into the account each year, up to a maximum annual grant of $1,500 per account. Additionally, the bill permits the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to fund the annual savings incentive grants from administrative fees, defined as funds the authority charges, imposes, or collects in connection with any agreement, contract, or transaction relating to the NJBEST program.
AI Summary
This bill modifies the New Jersey Better Educational Savings Trust (NJBEST) program by transforming the existing one-time $750 matching grant into an annual savings incentive grant of up to $1,500 for eligible contributors. Previously, a NJBEST account opened after June 29, 2021, by a taxpayer with an adjusted gross income (AGI) below $75,000 could receive a dollar-for-dollar match on the initial deposit, capped at $750. Under this new legislation, contributors with an AGI between $0 and $75,000 can receive an annual grant of up to $1,500 for each year until the designated beneficiary turns 14. This annual grant will be three dollars for every dollar deposited into the account, with the $1,500 cap per account. The bill also clarifies that the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, the entity overseeing the NJBEST program, can use "administrative fees"—funds collected from program-related agreements and transactions—to finance these annual grants.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S1462 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1500/1462_I1.HTM |
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