New Jersey Senate Bill S2999

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/22/22
• Refer: 9/22/22

Caption

Establishes scholarship program for students at public institutions of higher education pursuing certain community service-oriented opportunities; requires Secretary of Higher Education to establish grant program; appropriates $10 million.

Impact

The bill directs the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) to manage the scholarship program while also instituting a separate grant program that encourages public institutions to form partnerships with community-based service organizations. This initiative aims to create more pathways for students to serve their communities while gaining real-world experience and academic credit related to their fields of study. With this dual approach, S2999 intends to not only alleviate financial burdens on students but also to strengthen local services urgently needed in areas that have faced chronic workforce shortages.

Summary

Senate Bill S2999 establishes a scholarship program aimed at undergraduate students in public institutions of higher education who are actively engaged in community service. The program is designed to enhance the education and career prospects of students by offsetting college costs, specifically targeting fields related to climate action, K-12 education, and food insecurity. Each scholarship granted will amount to $10,000 and the total funding allocated for these scholarships is $9 million, underscoring the state’s commitment to fostering a new generation of community service-oriented professionals.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding the implementation of S2999, particularly regarding the allocation of grants to specific institutions and whether the funding will sufficiently meet the varied needs of community service projects statewide. Additionally, concerns may arise regarding the effectiveness of this program in genuinely increasing the workforce in the targeted fields. The bill aims to address these concerns with a strong framework for monitoring partnership effectiveness and student outcomes, which will be necessary to justify ongoing financial investment.