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.
Impact
To qualify for the program, students must meet several eligibility criteria, including being accepted as a full-time undergraduate at an eligible four-year institution, demonstrating financial need through a State tuition aid grant, and deferring their admission for two years while studying at a county college. Academic credits earned during the first two years at the county college are fully transferable to the four-year institution, ensuring that students can complete their educational pathways without losing progress. This program not only aims to make higher education more accessible but also seeks to reinvest state savings into expanding the Tuition Aid Grant Program, thereby potentially increasing the number of students served.
Summary
Assembly Bill A4330 aims to establish the 'Two to Four Tuition Free Students Program' within New Jersey's State Tuition Aid Grant Program. This initiative is designed to provide free tuition to eligible students who are accepted at a four-year public institution of higher education but choose to begin their undergraduate education at a county college. Specifically, the bill covers the tuition costs for the first two years at the county college to obtain an associate degree and then the remaining two years at the four-year institution to achieve a baccalaureate degree under certain conditions.
Contention
There may be debate surrounding this bill regarding the implications for local educational institutions, as it could influence enrollment patterns between county colleges and four-year universities. Advocates for the program argue that it fosters transition opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds, helping them manage the financial burden of higher education more effectively. However, opponents might express concerns over the sustainability of funding and the adequacy of support services at county colleges to handle potential increases in enrollment as students defer from four-year institutions.
Same As
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.
Carry Over
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.
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.
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.
Phases out State tuition aid grants for students enrolled in proprietary institutions of higher education; redirects State tuition aid grant funding for students enrolled in proprietary institutions to summer tuition aid grant program.
Relating to the establishment of the Texas Promise Grant Program for Two-Year Programs and the Texas Promise Grant Program for Four-Year Programs for certain students at public institutions of higher education.
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.
Establishes "New Jersey College Ready Students Program Act"; provides tuition-free dual enrollment opportunities at county college for certain high school students.
Establishes "New Jersey College Ready Students Program Act"; provides tuition-free dual enrollment opportunities at county college for certain high school students.
Requires undergraduate students to file degree plan and requires institutions of higher education and certain propriety institutions to develop pathway systems to graduation.
Requires undergraduate students to file degree plan and requires institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions to develop pathway systems to graduation.
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.
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.
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.