New Jersey Assembly Bill A1194

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Removes Selective Service registration as requirement for eligibility under State student financial aid programs.

Impact

The repeal of the prior statutory requirement (N.J.S.18A:71B-6) signifies a significant change in how eligibility for scholarships, particularly those targeting the children of law enforcement professionals killed in the line of duty, will be determined. The Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Scholarships will continue to be awarded to eligible applicants, but without the need for Selective Service compliance verification, potentially broadening access to these vital funds for many eligible students. The alignment with federal standards is intended to simplify the application process for student aid in New Jersey.

Summary

A1194 is a bill introduced in New Jersey that removes the requirement for students to demonstrate compliance with Selective Service registration in order to qualify for State-funded student financial aid programs. This move aligns State financial aid eligibility requirements with recent changes in federal law brought about by the FAFSA Simplification Act enacted by Congress in December 2020. Under the new federal guidelines, male students are no longer required to register with the Selective Service to access federal financial aid, a shift that this bill aims to replicate at the state level.

Contention

While there appears to be a consensus on the need to streamline student financial aid processes, the bill also reflects ongoing discussions about the role of Selective Service registration in higher education funding. Some stakeholders might argue that compliance with Selective Service is a civic duty and that maintaining this requirement could encourage responsible citizenship among students. However, proponents of A1194 emphasize that the focus should be on accessibility to education without adding bureaucratic barriers that may limit enrollment, particularly for underrepresented groups.