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Bill > A1625


NJ A1625

NJ A1625
Prohibits institution of higher education from establishing scholarship fund or student assistance program limited to students who are citizens or permanent residents of country or territory controlled by terrorist organization.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill prohibits an institution of higher education from establishing a scholarship fund or student assistance program that is only available to students enrolled in the institution who are citizens or permanent residents of a country or territory that is controlled by a foreign terrorist organization, as designated by the United States Secretary of State. An institution that violates the provisions of the bill is prohibited from receiving: State operating aid; the proceeds of State-supported revenue bonds that are issued by the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority; the proceeds of State general obligation bonds; or funds awarded to a student enrolled in the institution and distributed through any State student assistance or scholarship program administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. The bill is in response to encampments on the lawns of Voorhees Mall at Rutgers University-New Brunswick by students demanding various actions from the institution in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. One of the demands requested by the students was, "the acceptance of at least 10 displaced Gazan students to study at Rutgers University on scholarship." The institution reached an agreement with the student group, agreeing to meet 8 out of 10 of the demands, including the acceptance of the Gazan students, in return for an end to the encampment.

AI Summary

This bill prohibits colleges and universities in New Jersey from creating scholarship funds or student aid programs exclusively for students who are citizens or permanent residents of a country or territory designated as controlled by a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Secretary of State. Institutions that violate this rule will be barred from receiving various forms of state funding, including operating aid, proceeds from state-supported bonds issued by the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority, proceeds from state general obligation bonds, and funds distributed through state student aid programs managed by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. This legislation was prompted by student protests at Rutgers University concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict, where one demand was for the university to accept scholarship students from Gaza, a region currently experiencing conflict.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (6)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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