New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A4420

Introduced
5/16/24  

Caption

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.

Impact

If passed, A4420 would have significant implications for higher education institutions, particularly in how they allocate scholarships and financial assistance. Any institution that violates the bill's provisions would face serious repercussions, including the loss of state operating aid and other state financial supports such as general obligation bonds and revenue bonds. This could lead to financial strain on institutions depending on state funding and limit their capacity to support international students from regions deemed problematic due to terrorism concerns.

Summary

Assembly Bill A4420 aims to prohibit institutions of higher education in New Jersey from establishing scholarship funds or student assistance programs that are exclusively available to citizens or permanent residents of countries or territories controlled by foreign terrorist organizations. The bill is a response to recent incidents at Rutgers University, where students advocated for the acceptance of at least 10 displaced Gazan students on scholarship, linked to the wider context of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The bill reflects growing concerns regarding the association of educational funding with geopolitical issues.

Contention

The bill is expected to generate debate regarding academic freedom and the role of institutions in addressing international humanitarian crises. While proponents argue that it will prevent state resources from supporting individuals associated with terrorist entities, opponents may view it as an overreach that hampers the ability of universities to offer assistance based on humanitarian needs. The tension between national security and educational support for international students could be a key point of contention in future discussions around this legislation.

Companion Bills

NJ S3213

Same As 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.

Previously Filed As

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.

NJ S823

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.

NJ A1628

Prohibits public institution of higher education from entering into certain partnerships with institutions of higher education located in Palestinian territories.

NJ A1624

Prohibits institution of higher education which boycotts or divests from Israel-supporting or Israeli businesses from receiving State funds.

NJ A1623

Prohibits flags of designated terrorist organizations from being displayed or flown on State property.

NJ A368

Prohibits institutions of higher education from requiring students to receive COVID-19 vaccination.

NJ A360

Prohibits school districts and public institutions of higher education from adopting policies that bar military members or veterans from addressing students.

NJ S589

Prohibits institution of higher education from authorizing, funding, or supporting hate speech or antisemitic events and organizations.

NJ A2539

"Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act"; prohibits distribution of State aid to an institution of higher education that authorizes, funds, or supports antisemitic events or organizations or fails to punish acts of antisemitism on campus.

NJ A3407

Prohibits institutions of higher education from requiring students who have children to purchase meal plans, live in on-campus housing, or pay gym fees.

Similar Bills

NJ A2970

Requires public institutions of higher education to provide student-athletes who lose athletic scholarships because of injuries sustained while participating in athletic program with equivalent scholarships.

SC H3871

Palmetto Access to HigherEd (PATH) Act

WI SB868

Permissible financial aid reductions in higher education. (FE)

SC H3327

Educational lottery scholarship grants

NJ S3296

Requires public institution of higher education to provide alternative scholarship to student-athlete who loses athletic scholarship due to injury.

WY HB0057

AN ACT relating to the use of Hathaway scholarships at private post secondary institutions; defining terms; creating a scholarship; establishing eligibility requirements; establishing payment of scholarship funds to private post secondary institutions; specifying success curriculum requirements; modifying the duties of the department of education; providing a sunset date; requiring rulemaking; requiring reporting; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.

NJ A450

Requires public institution of higher education to provide alternative scholarship to student-athlete who loses athletic scholarship due to injury.

WI AB486

Permissible financial aid reductions in higher education. (FE)