SENATE LABOR COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2168

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 14, 2024

      The Senate Labor Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2168.

      This bill requires public institutions of higher education to waive the tuition fees of certain courses which are qualified to serve as the classroom training or education component of a registered apprenticeship for eligible persons whose gross aggregate household income is below the State’s median annual income.

      Under the bill, an eligible person is an individual whose gross aggregate household income at the time of admission to a New Jersey public institution of higher education or county vocational school is below the State household median income as determined by the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey.  The person is to be deemed eligible for a tuition fee waiver if:

      1.   tuition costs are not covered by the employer through employment benefits;

      2.   the person completes a Free Application for Federal Student Aid each year and has exhausted all financial aid assistance; and

      3.   the person retains employment as an active registered apprentice under the registered apprenticeship program and maintains satisfactory academic progress to qualify for renewal of the tuition waiver.

      The bill requires the State to reimburse public institutions of higher education and county vocational schools for the cost of the tuition waivers.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.