Proposal To Change Eligibility for 'N.J. Stars' Program Advances

A pending bill that would change the eligibility criteria of the state's N.J. Stars program with the aim of making it easier for families to plan for college has advanced in the legislature.

The legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Dave Wolfe (R-Ocean) cleared the Assembly Higher Education Committee on Thursday.

The N.J. Stars program covers the cost of tuition for students at 19 New Jersey community colleges if they are ranked within the top 15 percent of their graduating classes in high school. But since the class ranking is determined after a student's senior year is completed, the bill's sponsor says that leaves a family little time to plan where their college-bound child will end up the following fall.

Wolfe’s bill, A-2364, would amend current law so that eligibility will be based on the top 15 percent of one's high school class at the completion of the 11th grade rather than a student’s rank at the time of graduation.

“Often, when trying to decide which college to attend, cost is the determining factor for students and their families,” said Wolfe, in a statement. “Letting a student know if he or she will be receiving tuition assistance at the end of their junior year will be extremely helpful to them and their families as they begin the college choice process."

The bill would have to be approved by the full Assembly and state Senate and signed by Gov. Chris Christie before it could become law.