Sponsored by:
Assemblyman GORDON M. JOHNSON
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblywoman MARLENE CARIDE
District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblywoman GABRIELA M. MOSQUERA
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
Assemblyman GARY S. SCHAER
District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblyman BENJIE E. WIMBERLY
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblyman LOUIS D. GREENWALD
District 6 (Burlington and Camden)
Assemblyman VINCENT PRIETO
District 32 (Bergen and Hudson)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Jimenez, Assemblymen Diegnan, Green, Giblin, Assemblywomen Watson Coleman, Jasey, Assemblymen Gusciora, Ramos, Fuentes and Assemblywoman Tucker
SYNOPSIS
“Tuition Equality Act”; allows certain students to qualify for in-State tuition rates at public institutions of higher education.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning tuition rates for certain students at public institutions of higher education and supplementing chapter 62 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Tuition Equality Act.”
2. a. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a student, other than a nonimmigrant alien within the meaning of section 101 (a)(15) of the "Immigration and Nationality Act," (8 U.S.C. s.1101(a)(15)), shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition at a public institution of higher education if the student:
(1) attended high school in this State for three or more years;
(2) graduated from a high school in this State or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in this State;
(3) registers as an entering student or is currently enrolled in a public institution of higher education not earlier than the fall semester of the 2013-2014 academic year; and
(4) in the case of a person without lawful immigration status, files an affidavit with the institution of higher education stating that the student has filed an application to legalize his immigration status or will file an application as soon as he is eligible to do so.
b. Student information obtained in the implementation of this section shall be confidential.
3. The Secretary of Higher Education shall adopt in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill allows a student, including a student without lawful immigration status, to pay in-State tuition at the State's public institutions of higher education if he meets the following criteria: attended a high school in this State for three years or more; graduated from a high school in this State or attained the equivalent of a high school diploma in the State; registers as an entering student or is currently enrolled in a public institution of higher education not earlier than the fall semester of the 2013-2014 academic year; and files an affidavit with the institution of higher education stating that the student has filed an application to legalize his immigration status or will file an application as soon as he is eligible to do so.