Urges Secretary of Higher Education and Educational Opportunity Fund Board to study and modernize program regulations, particularly regulations related to student funding priority levels.
The existing prioritization within the EOF program leads to disparities in funding for high school graduates who have completed dual enrollment programs. Despite earning college credits, these students are considered lower priority for EOF funding, which can reduce their financial aid or exclude them from certain institutions' EOF programs. This regulatory disconnect creates a disincentive for students to participate in dual enrollment, which contrary to the goals of the state to expand educational access and affordability, can limit opportunities for disadvantaged students.
ACR68 is a Concurrent Resolution that urges the Secretary of Higher Education and the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Board to examine and modernize the regulations governing the EOF program, particularly concerning the funding priority levels assigned to students. Established in 1968, the EOF program aims to support educationally and economically disadvantaged students in New Jersey. The current regulations classify students receiving Opportunity Grants based on a priority system, which includes categories like renewal students and first-time freshmen. However, the resolution highlights that these regulations fail to accommodate changes in educational policies that promote dual enrollment and college readiness programs, negatively impacting students who graduate high school with associate degrees.
ACR68 emphasizes the need for an updated assessment of EOF regulations to identify conflicts with current educational goals in New Jersey. The resolution requests a study to evaluate all EOF regulations and recommends procedural changes that reflect modern educational policies. Furthermore, it calls for transparency in the findings and proposed changes to ensure the EOF program effectively serves its purpose of supporting students, especially those benefiting from dual enrollment and other college readiness initiatives. These updates are crucial in aligning the EOF programs with the legislative intent of enhancing student access to higher education.