New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A3878

Introduced
2/27/24  

Caption

Establishes three-year pilot program in DOE to provide certain students with information and assistance regarding federal financial aid application.

Impact

Under A3878, participating school districts must submit proposals outlining their commitments to train staff or volunteers on FAFSA completion and to allocate class time for student instruction. The Commissioner of Education will select a total of twelve school districts (four from each of the state’s three regions: southern, central, and northern) to implement this pilot program. Once selected, school districts are tasked with ensuring that students receive relevant information about FAFSA at least once before they graduate, which may be delivered through various channels such as classroom instruction, family sessions, or school counseling.

Summary

Assembly Bill A3878 aims to establish a three-year pilot program in the New Jersey Department of Education to provide guidance and assistance to students applying for federal financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The program is designed to ensure that every 12th-grade student has adequate access to resources and instruction that will facilitate the proper completion and submission of the FAFSA. This initiative seeks to increase the number of students who are informed and prepared to apply for federal financial aid, thereby enhancing their opportunities for higher education.

Contention

While the bill has broad support for its objective of increasing access to financial aid, there may be concerns regarding the equitable distribution of resources and support across different types of school districts. Critics may argue about the adequacy of support for urban vs. rural districts and whether the program will standardize access among diverse populations. The program’s success will be evaluated, and the Commissioner must submit a report at the conclusion of the pilot phase, which may include recommendations for statewide implementation dependent on its effectiveness.

Companion Bills

NJ S2813

Same As Establishes three-year pilot program in DOE to provide certain students with information and assistance regarding federal financial aid application.

NJ S1644

Carry Over Establishes three-year pilot program in DOE to provide certain students with information and assistance regarding federal financial aid application.

Previously Filed As

NJ A4319

Establishes three-year pilot program in DOE to provide certain students with information and assistance regarding federal financial aid application.

NJ S584

Establishes three-year pilot program in DOE to provide certain students with information and assistance regarding federal financial aid application.

NJ S2001

Establishes pilot program to provide guidance to students applying for federal financial aid.

NJ A2123

Requires public institution of higher education to provide students with information on food assistance programs.

NJ A1979

Establishes "Male Teachers of Color Mentorship Pilot Program"; appropriates $95,000.

NJ A807

Establishes pilot program in DOE to provide assistive technology to elementary and middle school students with dyslexia and related conditions.

NJ A3715

Establishes five-year conception to cradle pilot program in DOE.

NJ A1925

Establishes "Security Deposit Assistance Pilot Program" in Passaic, Union, Essex, Hudson, Gloucester, Atlantic, Camden, and Mercer counties; appropriates $400,000.

NJ A4294

Establishes program to provide free tuition under State Tuition Aid Grant Program to certain students who are accepted to public four-year institutions of higher education and elect to attend county college for first two years.

NJ A3882

Requires public schools to post link to subsidized school meals application, and certain informational videos related to application, in prominent place on Internet website.

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