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Bill

A 6109

Increases income-based eligibility of Community College Opportunity Grant Program; codifies Garden State Guarantee Program to provide last-dollar financial aid grants for certain students.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Shavonda Sumter

New Jersey bill expands community college grant eligibility by raising income thresholds and codifies last-dollar aid program to cover remaining tuition costs for qualifying students.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee
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Bill Summary · A 6109

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 6109 expands New Jersey's Community College Opportunity Grant Program by raising income-based eligibility thresholds, allowing more students to qualify for aid. The bill also formally codifies the Garden State Guarantee Program into law, establishing a "last-dollar" grant system that covers remaining tuition costs after other financial aid is applied for eligible students.

Why is this important

This legislation directly affects college affordability for middle and lower-income New Jersey residents by reducing financial barriers to community college enrollment. Codifying the Garden State Guarantee provides legal permanence and predictability to a program that previously may have operated through executive authority or temporary appropriations, ensuring consistent funding and eligibility rules.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact and state budget burden: Expanding eligibility will increase program costs; unclear whether sufficient appropriations are included or if this creates unfunded mandates on state finances
  • Income threshold definitions: The specific new income limits are not detailed in this summary, making it difficult to assess whether increases are meaningful or symbolic and which income levels truly benefit
  • "Last-dollar" coverage scope: Ambiguity about what constitutes covered costs (tuition only vs. fees, books, living expenses) and whether grants truly cover all remaining expenses or cap at specific amounts

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

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