Bill Text: NJ A3836 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: "Higher Education Citizenship Equality Act;" defines domicile for dependent students for purpose of eligibility for State student grants and scholarships, and resident tuition rate.*
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-12-16 - Substituted by S700 (3R) [A3836 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-A3836-Amended.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman REED GUSCIORA
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Assemblyman GARY S. SCHAER
District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblyman RAJ MUKHERJI
District 33 (Hudson)
Assemblywoman MILA M. JASEY
District 27 (Essex and Morris)
SYNOPSIS
"Higher Education Citizenship Equality Act"; defines domicile for dependent students for purpose of eligibility for State student grants and scholarships, and resident tuition rate.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Higher Education Committee on December 5, 2019, with amendments.
An Act concerning higher education and supplementing chapter 62 and chapter 71B of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Higher Education Citizenship Equality Act."
2. a. A dependent student shall be considered domiciled in this State for the purposes of determining eligibility for a State student 1[loan,]1 grant 1[,]1 or scholarship if the student meets the following criteria:
(1) the student is a United States citizen 1or an eligible noncitizen, as determined under 20 U.S.C. s.10911 ;
(2) the student 1[has] and the student's parent have1 resided in the State for a period of not less than 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the academic period for which State student assistance is being requested; and
(3) the student's parent or guardian provides the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 1, upon request,1 with documentation 1[that the parent or guardian has filed a New Jersey and federal income tax return, or with evidence of withholding of income tax, for the most recent tax year] to verify income and assets1.
b. 1[A dependent student shall not be denied eligibility for a State student loan, grant, or scholarship solely on the basis that the student's parent or guardian cannot establish domicile.
c.]1 Any procedures and forms established by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority and the Secretary of Higher Education for the purposes of this section shall not discriminate against eligible students based on the immigration status or national origin of the student or the student's parent or guardian.
1[d.] c.1 Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the eligibility for a State student 1[loan,]1 grant 1[,]1 or scholarship of any student who does not meet the requirements of this section but is otherwise eligible for State student assistance in accordance with law or regulation.
3. a. A dependent student shall be considered domiciled in this State for the purposes of determining eligibility for the resident undergraduate tuition rate at a public institution of higher education if the student meets the following criteria:
(1) the student is a United States citizen; and
(2) the student has resided in the State for a period of not less than 12 consecutive months before first enrolling in a public institution of higher education and, in the case of a county college student, resides in the county sponsoring the college before first enrolling at the college.
b. A dependent student may not establish eligibility for the resident undergraduate tuition rate pursuant to subsection a. of this section if the student's parent 1or guardian1 has not lived in this State for a period of at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the student's initial enrollment in a public institution of higher education.
c. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the eligibility for the resident undergraduate tuition rate of any student who does not meet the requirements of this section but is otherwise eligible for the resident undergraduate tuition rate at a public institution of higher education in accordance with law or regulation.
4. This act shall take effect immediately and shall first be applicable to the determination of State student assistance and eligibility for the resident undergraduate tuition rate for the 1[2018-2019] 2020-20211 academic year.
