Bill
Bill > A438
NJ A438
NJ A438Allows students to use portion of opportunity grant awards under Educational Opportunity Fund program during summer session.
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 provides that a student may elect to use a portion of an opportunity grant funded through the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), during the summer session following the academic year for courses that fulfill graduation requirements or award credits in the student's academic major. The student would be responsible for notifying the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education of the intent to use a portion of the award during the summer. The Secretary of Higher Education would adjust the amount of the student's award that will be disbursed during the academic year, and notify the student that using a portion of the grant during the summer session will reduce the amount of the award that will be disbursed during the academic year. The secretary would also be required to annually report the number of students who did and did not use a portion of a grant award to enroll in courses during the summer, and the number and percent of these students who graduated within 100 percent and 150 percent of average completion time. This bill implements a recommendation of the College Affordability Study Commission which released its final report in September 2016.
AI Summary
This bill allows students receiving an opportunity grant, which is a type of financial aid under the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program designed to help disadvantaged students, to use part of that grant money for summer classes that count towards their degree or major. To do this, students must inform the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education of their intention to use the grant for summer courses before the academic year begins. The Secretary will then adjust the amount of the grant disbursed during the regular academic year, reducing it by the amount used for summer classes, and will inform the student of this reduction. Furthermore, the Secretary will be required to track and report annually how many students use their grants for summer sessions, and how many of those students, both those who did and did not use the grant for summer, graduate within 100% and 150% of the typical time to complete their degree. Importantly, using an opportunity grant for summer courses will not count against the total number of years a student is eligible to receive the grant. This change is based on a recommendation from a commission that studied college affordability.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (15)
Linda Carter (D)*,
Carmen Morales (D)*,
Michael Venezia (D)*,
Rosaura Bagolie (D),
Alixon Collazos-Gill (D),
Dan Hutchison (D),
Andrea Katz (D),
Cody Miller (D),
Ellen Park (D),
Eliana Pintor Marin (D),
Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D),
William Sampson (D),
Gerry Scharfenberger (R),
Shanique Speight (D),
Cleopatra Tucker (D),
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/A438 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A0500/438_I1.HTM |
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