Sponsored by:
Senator SANDRA B. CUNNINGHAM
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes three-year pilot program in DOE to provide certain students with information and assistance regarding federal financial aid application.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act establishing a pilot program to provide guidance to students applying for federal financial aid.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Commissioner of Education, in coordination with the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, shall establish a three-year pilot program to provide public school students with information on and assistance in the proper completion and submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The goal of the pilot program shall be to ensure that each student enrolled in grade 12 has the opportunity and instruction necessary to apply for federal financial aid.
b. A school district that wants to participate in the program shall submit a proposal to the commissioner detailing its commitment to training staff or community volunteers on the proper completion and submission of the FAFSA and providing class time to students for instruction on how to complete the FAFSA with their parents or guardians. The proposal shall also indicate whether the district intends to offer any additional events, workshops, or other programming for the parents and guardians of students on FAFSA completion and submission.
c. The commissioner shall select four districts in each of the southern, central, and northern regions of the State to participate in the program and shall seek a cross section of school districts from urban, suburban, and rural areas of the State.
2. a. The board of education of a participating school district shall ensure that each student receives information at least once before the student enters grade 12 on how to properly complete and submit the FAFSA. Information may be disseminated through classroom instruction during regular school hours. Information may also be provided through an existing school program, family information sessions, or group or individual sessions with school counselors. The information provided shall include, but need not be limited to, material related to:
(1) the types of documentation and personal information that each student financial aid application requires, including documents relating to income taxes, finances and income, college choices, academic status, and personal identification such as social security or taxpayer identification numbers;
(2) an explanation of terms used in the FAFSA application. These definitions may include, but need not be limited to, "legal guardianship," "household size," "parent," "dependent," and "taxable college grants and scholarships;"
(3) eligibility requirements for student financial aid; and
(4) application timelines and submission deadlines for the FAFSA.
b. The board of education of a participating school district shall ensure that the parent or guardian of each student entering grade 12 receives, via written or electronic means, information on the FAFSA and how to properly complete and submit the form.
c. The board of education of a participating school district shall ensure that a paper copy of the FAFSA is provided upon request to each high school student or his parent or guardian.
d. The board of education shall ensure that any information shared by a student, parent, or guardian pursuant to this act is handled according to applicable State and federal privacy laws and regulations.
3. At the conclusion of the pilot program, the Commissioner of Education shall submit a report to the Governor, and the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1). The report shall contain information on the implementation of the pilot program including the commissioner's recommendation on the feasibility of implementing the program on a Statewide basis.
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill directs the Commissioner of Education, in coordination with the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, to establish a three-year pilot program to provide information on and assistance in the proper completion and submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The goal of the pilot program is to ensure that each 12th grade student has the opportunity and instruction necessary to apply for federal financial aid.
Under the bill, a school district that wants to participate in the program is required to submit a proposal to the commissioner. The commissioner will select four districts in each of the southern, central, and northern regions of the State to participate in the program.
The bill requires the board of education of a participating school district to ensure that each student receives information at least once before the student enters grade 12 on how to properly complete and submit the FAFSA. Information may be disseminated through classroom instruction during regular school hours. Information may also be provided through an existing school program, family information sessions, or group or individual sessions with school counselors. The information provided will include, but need not be limited to, material related to:
(1) the types of documentation and personal information that each student financial aid application requires;
(2) an explanation of terms used for each application;
(3) eligibility requirements for student financial aid; and
(4) application timelines and submission deadlines for the FAFSA.
The bill also requires the board of education of a participating school district to ensure that the parent or guardian of each student entering grade 12 receives, via written or electronic means, information on the FAFSA and how to properly complete and submit the form.
Under the bill, the board of education of a participating school district is required to ensure that a paper copy of the FAFSA is provided upon request to each high school student or his parent or guardian. The board of education is also required to ensure that any information shared by a student, parent, or guardian pursuant to this bill is handled according to applicable State and federal privacy laws and regulations.
At the conclusion of the pilot program, the Commissioner of Education is directed to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature. The report will contain information on the implementation of the pilot program including the commissioner's recommendation on the feasibility of implementing the program on a Statewide basis.