New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S3213

Introduced
5/13/24  

Caption

Prohibits institution of higher education from establishing scholarship fund or student assistance program limited to students who are citizens or permanent residents of country or territory controlled by terrorist organization.

Impact

Should S3213 be enacted, it would have significant ramifications for the financial operations of educational institutions across New Jersey. Any institution found to be in violation of this regulation will face severe penalties, including the forfeiture of state operating aid and the proceeds from state-supported revenue bonds. This means institutions will need to reassess their scholarship programs and ensure compliance to maintain their financial support from the state.

Summary

Senate Bill 3213 seeks to prohibit institutions of higher education in New Jersey from creating scholarship funds or student assistance programs that are exclusively available to students from countries or territories controlled by foreign terrorist organizations as designated by the U.S. Secretary of State. This bill specifically addresses the educational funding landscape, aiming to prevent any institution from providing financial aid limited to a defined group of students based on their national affiliation with such entities.

Contention

The bill arises amid ongoing debates surrounding student protests at Rutgers University related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, where students demanded the acceptance of Gazan students through scholarship offers. This situation led to substantial public and institutional pressure, with opposing views on whether educational institutions should support students from regions associated with terrorism. Advocates for the bill argue that it protects state resources from being allocated to those with ties to terrorism, while critics may see it as a restriction on educational opportunity and a failure to support displaced individuals in crisis.

Companion Bills

NJ A4420

Same As Prohibits institution of higher education from establishing scholarship fund or student assistance program limited to students who are citizens or permanent residents of country or territory controlled by terrorist organization.

Similar Bills

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 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.

CA AB288

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