Bill
S 2844
The bill creates the Jersey Strong Public Service Scholarship Program to fund degrees for NJ residents in critical public service jobs, with in-state placement requirements.
Status and basics
- Bill number: S 2844
- Title: Jersey Strong Public Service Scholarship Program Act
- Introduced: September 17, 2025
- Current status: Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
- Primary sponsor: Mike Lee
- Related bill: A 3984 (companion)
Purpose and policy aim
- Establishes the Jersey Strong Public Service Scholarship Program to provide scholarships to eligible students employed in public service sectors that are experiencing critical workforce shortages.
- Administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) in conjunction with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL).
Key provisions and how the program works
- Eligibility to participate
- Resident of New Jersey and United States citizen
- Recent high school graduate or within six months of graduation
- Employed full-time in a paid position in an eligible public service sector or placed in an open position through the program
- Hourly wage at least equal to the State minimum wage, or a placement at minimum wage if applicable
- Any other minimum qualifications set by HESAA
- Eligible sectors
- The Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development will establish a list of eligible sectors with critical shortages (e.g., hospitals, public schools, crossing guards, first responders). The list is to be developed within 90 days of enactment and reevaluated every four years; HESAA may also place participants in open positions within these sectors.
- Scholarships and duration
- Maximum of 15 scholarships awarded per year
- Year 1 of employment (one year of full-time service): scholarship toward cost of attendance for two academic years, up to a total of $25,000
- Year 2 of employment (two years of full-time service): scholarship toward cost of attendance for four academic years, up to a total of $50,000
- Scholarships applied toward cost of attendance at a public NJ institution of higher education
- Application and eligibility conditions for continued scholarship
- Maintain NJ residency
- Be admitted to and enrolled in a full-time, degree-granting program at a public institution
- Apply for all other available State and federal financial aid (excluding loans)
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the institution
- Funding and administration
- The Authority shall administer the scholarships, in partnership with NJDOL
- The State Legislature shall appropriate funds from the General Fund to HESAA as needed to implement the program
- Any scholarship funds that exceed the student’s cost of attendance may be remitted to the participant
- Termination and repayment
- Scholarships terminate and must be repaid if the student is dismissed for academic or disciplinary reasons, or withdraws without prior approval
- If withdrawal is approved due to illness or a family emergency, repayment is not required
- Program timing and implementation
- 120 days to establish the application process
- Application available by the first day of the fifth month after enactment; approvals to begin thereafter
Significant fiscal and operational details
- Funding source: General Fund appropriation to HESAA as necessary for implementation
- “Cost of attendance” defined consistent with federal standards (per 20 U.S.C. s.1087ll)
- The program emphasizes in-State placement and alignment with state workforce needs
Potential impact
- Targets critical public service workforce shortages by creating a pathway for students to complete higher education with scholarship support while remaining in New Jersey.
- Encourages in-State public higher education participation and ties scholarship eligibility to public sector employment in essential services.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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