New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A3815

Introduced
5/2/22  

Caption

Requires institutions of higher education to distribute information on availability of allowance for dependent care expenses in determination of cost of attendance.

Impact

If enacted, A3815 will amend the existing financial aid framework by ensuring that institutions publish clear information regarding the availability and procedures for requesting the dependent care allowance. Institutions are required to include this information in the financial aid shopping sheets that they provide to students and to ensure it is publicly accessible on their websites. Furthermore, the bill mandates that every paper application for admission comes with hard copies of information about the dependent care allowance, thereby improving accessibility and knowledge of available resources.

Summary

Assembly Bill A3815, introduced in New Jersey, seeks to enhance support for student parents attending institutions of higher education by mandating the distribution of information regarding the dependent care allowance. This allowance is designed to help students who have dependents by acknowledging and allowing them to incorporate dependent care expenses into their cost of attendance calculations. The bill underscores the need for higher education institutions to make prospective and current students aware of potential financial assistance they may be entitled to, thereby potentially increasing their eligibility for additional financial aid based on the total increased cost of attendance.

Contention

Notably, while the bill has garnered support for broadening access to financial resources for student parents, potential points of contention may arise regarding the implications it carries for student debt. The bill includes a warning that taking advantage of the dependent care allowance could lead to increased student loan obligations upon graduation. This aspect may evoke discussions about the balance between supporting students with dependents and the long-term financial consequences of increased borrowing, leading to varying perceptions of the bill's potential effectiveness and necessity.

Companion Bills

NJ S1373

Same As Requires institutions of higher education to distribute information on availability of allowance for dependent care expenses in determination of cost of attendance.

Previously Filed As

NJ A3669

Requires institutions of higher education to distribute information on availability of allowance for dependent care expenses in determination of cost of attendance.

NJ S3250

Requires textbook publishers to provide public institutions of higher education with information on price and availability of textbooks.

NJ HB793

Regards cost of attendance at institutions of higher education

NJ A1772

Provides tuition benefits at public institutions of higher education for dependents of certain veterans.

NJ S3383

Requires tuition aid grant amounts to be equal for students enrolled in independent institutions of higher education and students enrolled in four-year public institutions of higher education.

NJ S2012

Provides tuition-free credits to certain institutions of higher education for certain law enforcement officers and firefighters and their spouses and dependents.

NJ A227

Provides tuition-free credits to certain institutions of higher education for certain law enforcement officers and firefighters and their spouses and dependents.

NJ S184

Expands volunteer tuition credit program to volunteers and eligible dependents enrolled in four-year public institutions of higher education and increases maximum value of tuition credit.

NJ A2349

Requires four-year public institutions of higher education to provide on website certain information on online degree students and graduate degree students.

NJ A292

Provides tuition-free credits to certain instituitions of higher education for certain law enforcement officers and firefighters and their spouses and dependents.

Similar Bills

CA AB850

Institutional Debt Transparency Act.

NJ A2359

Requires undergraduate students to file degree plan and requires institutions of higher education and certain propriety institutions to develop pathway systems to graduation.

NJ S1480

Requires undergraduate students to file degree plan and requires institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions to develop pathway systems to graduation.

CA AB2771

California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009.

NJ S1504

Establishes process for merger or consolidation of public institution of higher education with other institutions of higher education or certain proprietary institutions; requires executive and legislative approval of merger or consolidation.

NJ A2133

Establishes process for merger or consolidation of public institution of higher education with other institutions of higher education or certain proprietary institutions; requires executive and legislative approval of merger or consolidation.

TX HB5180

Relating to the issuance of a diploma to a student graduating from a public institution of higher education that has undergone a merger, acquisition, or name change.

CA AB1098

California Education Interagency Council.