WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 6399

Expands eligibility for the tuition assistance program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Robert Jackson

Expands TAP eligibility to more students, affecting recipients, colleges, and state costs as funding and criteria are broadened.

REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 6399

Summary of Bill: S 6399 — Expands eligibility for the tuition assistance program

Overview

S 6399 is a Senate bill introduced on March 13, 2025, titled “Expands eligibility for the tuition assistance program.” The bill has been referred to the Higher Education committee. The primary sponsor is Robert Jackson. Related legislation includes S 6874 and S 5447 from prior sessions, and Assembly companion A 2354 (listed twice as companions).

Purpose and intent

  • The central aim, as indicated by the title, is to broaden who qualifies for the state’s tuition assistance program. While the exact policy changes are not detailed in the information provided, the bill would modify eligibility criteria to extend TAP access to additional students.

Key provisions (as indicated by the title)

  • Expansion of eligibility for the tuition assistance program.
  • Specific changes to eligibility criteria (e.g., household income thresholds, enrollment status, residency, or other qualification rules) would be defined in the full bill text.
  • Implementation details, funding parameters, and any sunset or review provisions would be outlined in the enacted language, if adopted.

Note: The available summary does not include the full text, so exact provisions, funding levels, and operational requirements are not specified here.

Who is affected

  • Current and prospective students who would become newly eligible under the expanded criteria.
  • Institutions administering the tuition assistance program and related higher education offices.
  • State budget and taxpayers, to the extent that expanded eligibility increases program costs.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: March 13, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to Higher Education (two parallel entries for the same action; reflects standard committee referral).
  • Legislative actions show the same action repeated on the introduction date, indicating ongoing committee consideration rather than a final floor vote.

Related bills and sponsorship

  • Primary sponsor: Robert Jackson.
  • Related/companion measures:
    • S 6874 (prior-session)
    • S 5447 (prior-session)
    • A 2354 (companion) — listed as a companion in Assembly, with two instances noted. These relationships suggest ongoing efforts to reform TAP eligibility across both chambers.

Potential fiscal and policy considerations

  • Expanding eligibility typically increases program costs and may require funding adjustments, new outreach efforts, and possible changes to administration and enrollment systems. Specific fiscal impact would depend on the final eligibility criteria and funding assumptions in the enacted bill.

Next steps for readers

  • Monitor committee action in Higher Education for the detailed text and amendments.
  • Compare S 6399 with its companion A 2354 and related Senate bills (S 6874, S 5447) to understand the convergence or differences in eligibility criteria.
  • Review fiscal notes and impact analyses once released, to gauge cost and implementation timelines.

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

Sign in to ask a question.