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Bill > A2366
NJ A2366
NJ A2366Establishes Gold Star Family Scholarship Program; appropriates $100,000 from General Fund to Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.
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 establishes the Gold Star Family Scholarship Program in the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA). Under the program, a spouse, child, parent, guardian, or sibling of an individual who served in the Armed Forces of the United States or National Guard and lost his life while on active duty would be eligible to receive a scholarship to attend an institution of higher education. HESAA would be responsible for establishing eligibility criteria, and determining the amount of each scholarship award after considering the cost of attendance at the institution of higher education and other federal and State assistance for which the individual is eligible. An individual scholarship award may not exceed the average tuition charged at the four-year public institutions of higher education in the State. HESAA will award scholarships using money in the Gold Star Family Scholarship Fund created under the bill. The bill establishes an annual $2 surcharge on personalized license plates, the proceeds of which will be deposited into the fund. It also provides for a designation on the State gross income tax return that permits a taxpayer to make voluntary contributions to the fund. Last, the bill appropriates $100,000 to the fund.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Gold Star Family Scholarship Program, administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), to provide scholarships for undergraduate study to eligible family members of service members who died on active duty. A "Gold Star Family member" is defined as a spouse, domestic partner, civil union partner, parent, sibling, child, legal guardian, or other legal custodian of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard who lost their life while serving. HESAA will set the specific eligibility criteria and determine scholarship amounts based on the cost of attendance and other available financial aid, with individual awards capped at the average tuition of four-year public institutions in the state. Funding for the program will come from a newly created non-lapsing Gold Star Family Scholarship Fund, which will receive appropriations from the General Fund, voluntary taxpayer contributions indicated on state income tax returns, and a new annual $2 surcharge on personalized license plates, with $100,000 initially appropriated from the General Fund to establish the fund.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A2366 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2500/2366_I1.HTM |
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