New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A3815

Introduced
5/2/22  

Caption

Requires institutions of higher education to distribute information on availability of allowance for dependent care expenses in determination of cost of attendance.

Impact

If enacted, A3815 will amend the existing financial aid framework by ensuring that institutions publish clear information regarding the availability and procedures for requesting the dependent care allowance. Institutions are required to include this information in the financial aid shopping sheets that they provide to students and to ensure it is publicly accessible on their websites. Furthermore, the bill mandates that every paper application for admission comes with hard copies of information about the dependent care allowance, thereby improving accessibility and knowledge of available resources.

Summary

Assembly Bill A3815, introduced in New Jersey, seeks to enhance support for student parents attending institutions of higher education by mandating the distribution of information regarding the dependent care allowance. This allowance is designed to help students who have dependents by acknowledging and allowing them to incorporate dependent care expenses into their cost of attendance calculations. The bill underscores the need for higher education institutions to make prospective and current students aware of potential financial assistance they may be entitled to, thereby potentially increasing their eligibility for additional financial aid based on the total increased cost of attendance.

Contention

Notably, while the bill has garnered support for broadening access to financial resources for student parents, potential points of contention may arise regarding the implications it carries for student debt. The bill includes a warning that taking advantage of the dependent care allowance could lead to increased student loan obligations upon graduation. This aspect may evoke discussions about the balance between supporting students with dependents and the long-term financial consequences of increased borrowing, leading to varying perceptions of the bill's potential effectiveness and necessity.

Companion Bills

NJ S1373

Same As Requires institutions of higher education to distribute information on availability of allowance for dependent care expenses in determination of cost of attendance.

Previously Filed As

NJ A3083

Requires institutions of higher education to distribute information on availability of allowance for dependent care expenses in determination of cost of attendance.

NJ S1373

Requires institutions of higher education to distribute information on availability of allowance for dependent care expenses in determination of cost of attendance.

NJ A2213

Requires financial aid shopping sheet prepared by institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions to include information on average starting salaries of students.

NJ A5181

Revises calculation of student financial need and provides circumstances for reduction of financial aid at institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions.

NJ A3422

Revises calculation of student financial need and provides circumstances for reduction of financial aid at institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions.

NJ S3566

Revises calculation of student financial need and provides circumstances for reduction of financial aid at institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions.

NJ S495

Requires Secretary of Higher Education and DOLWD to establish performance quality standards for career-oriented programs of study offered by institutions of higher education, degree-granting proprietary institutions, and private career schools.

NJ A1695

Requires Secretary of Higher Education and DOLWD to establish performance quality standards for career-oriented programs of study offered by institutions of higher education, degree-granting proprietary institutions, and private career schools.

NJ HB2425

Higher educational institutions; information about institutional debt, report, civil penalty.

NJ S1372

Requires financial aid award letter provided by institutions of higher education and certain proprietary schools be consistent with financial aid shopping sheet.

Similar Bills

NJ A3144

Requires undergraduate students to file degree plan and requires institutions of higher education and certain propriety institutions to develop pathway systems to graduation.

NJ A2153

Requires undergraduate students to file degree plan and requires institutions of higher education and certain propriety institutions to develop pathway systems to graduation.

NJ S1371

Requires undergraduate students to file degree plan and requires institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions to develop pathway systems to graduation.

NJ S3622

Requires undergraduate students to file degree plan and requires institutions of higher education and certain propriety institutions to develop pathway systems to graduation.

NJ S3101

Establishes healthcare careers pilot program for certain institutions of higher education and proprietary schools.

NJ A1311

Establishes healthcare careers pilot program for certain institutions of higher education and proprietary schools.

NJ S1532

Applies provisions of "New Jersey College Student and Parent Consumer Information Act" to proprietary schools and limits eligibility for State student assistance programs to students enrolled in certain proprietary schools.

NJ S1582

Applies provisions of "New Jersey College Student and Parent Consumer Information Act" to proprietary schools and limits eligibility for State student assistance programs to students enrolled in certain proprietary schools.