SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 4128

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 5, 2026

      The Senate Higher Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 4128.

      This bill requires each county college to notify graduating high school students of their acceptance into their local county college.

      Under the bill, each county college is required to provide a letter of acceptance to each graduating student in grade 12 who is enrolled in a public or nonpublic school and is a resident of the county served by the county college. The acceptance letter is required to be sent to the student by December 1 and include information on how to accept the offer, enroll, register for classes, and access financial aid and student support services. If the graduating student has completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or other financial aid form, the notification is required to include preliminary financial aid information, to the extent that this information is available.

      The bill stipulates that admission offered pursuant to the provisions of the bill would not guarantee admission to any specific major, program of study, or specialized program offered by the county college. The bill requires the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, to establish guidelines for the identification and notification of students eligible for admission pursuant to the bill. The bill stipulates that any data shared pursuant to the provisions of the bill is to be limited to student contact information and is required to comply with the provisions of all applicable State and federal privacy laws.

      Finally, the bill requires the New Jersey Council of County Colleges to submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature on the implementation of the letters of acceptance provided pursuant to the provisions of the bill.