Bill > S3245

This bill requires New Jersey high school students, starting with the 2023-2024 11th-grade class, to complete and submit a State or federal financial aid application, such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as a requirement for receiving a high school diploma, unless they or their parents submit a waiver. Waivers can be signed by a parent or guardian, or by the student if they are 18 or older, and if a parent's signature cannot be obtained for a student under 18, a school counselor may authorize the waiver. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) will provide resources like webinars and guidance documents to help students and families complete these applications, and schools must annually notify students and parents about this requirement. The bill also clarifies that schools are not obligated to assist with the application process and that no negative actions can be taken against students who receive a waiver, while also ensuring that submitted waiver information is protected and not disclosed without consent, aligning with federal privacy laws like the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).