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Bill

SH

Bill

A 1619

Establishes Grow Your Own Teacher Loan Redemption Program in Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Shama Haider and 1 co-sponsor

New Jersey bill establishes loan forgiveness program for teachers to address educator shortages and reduce student debt barriers to entering the profession.

Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments and Referred to Assembly Labor Committee
#educfinance #highered
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Bill Summary · A 1619

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 1619 creates a loan forgiveness program within New Jersey's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority for teachers who participate in a "Grow Your Own" initiative. The program appears designed to incentivize educators to enter the profession by offering relief from student loan burdens, addressing teacher shortages in the state.

Why is this important

Teacher shortages are a significant challenge in many states, and student debt is a documented barrier to entering the profession. By making teaching financially more attractive through loan redemption, the program could increase the educator pipeline, particularly in high-need districts or subject areas where recruitment is difficult.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding sources: The bill does not specify how the loan redemption program will be funded, raising questions about budget impact and whether existing education funding could be redirected
  • Program eligibility and scope: Details about which teachers qualify (experience level, subject area, school location), how many years of service are required, and maximum redemption amounts are unclear from the bill title alone
  • Long-term sustainability: Whether the program creates permanent obligations and how it scales if demand exceeds available funding allocation

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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