Bill
Bill > S3582
NJ S3582
NJ S3582Establishes Gold Star Family Scholarship Program; appropriates $100,000 from General Fund to Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.
summary
Introduced
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
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 "Gold Star Family members," defined as spouses, domestic partners, civil union partners, parents, siblings, children, legal guardians, or other legal custodians of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard who died on active duty. HESAA will set the specific eligibility criteria and determine scholarship amounts, which cannot exceed the average tuition at four-year public institutions in the state, considering other available financial aid. The program will be funded through appropriations, voluntary taxpayer contributions indicated on state income tax returns, and a new annual $2 surcharge on personalized license plates, with an initial $100,000 appropriation from the General Fund to kickstart the Gold Star Family Scholarship Fund.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee (on 02/19/2026)
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/S3582 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S4000/3582_I1.HTM |
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