New Jersey would offer scholarships for work in critical public-service jobs

The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority would award up to 15 scholarships each year. Eligible students would attend public colleges in New Jersey and work full time in a public-service sector listed as having critical workforce shortages. One year of qualifying work would allow up to $25,000 for two academic years; two years would allow up to $50,000 for four academic years. Applicants would generally need to be New Jersey residents, U.S. citizens, recent or soon-to-be New Jersey high school graduates, and full-time workers earning at least the state minimum wage. Recipients would need to stay eligible, maintain satisfactory academic progress, attend full time, and apply for available state and federal aid other than loans. The scholarship could end after dismissal or an unapproved withdrawal, and the recipient would have to repay the full amount received. An approved withdrawal for illness or a family emergency would not require repayment. The program would first apply to the first full academic year after enactment. Work completed for one or two full years would determine the scholarship period and maximum amount.

The Labor and Workforce Development commissioner would identify eligible public-service sectors, and the authority would help participants find open jobs in those sectors. The list could cover jobs such as work in hospitals, public schools, crossing-guard positions, and first-responder jobs experiencing critical shortages. The authority would match participants who are not already working full time in an eligible sector with open positions across New Jersey. Matched jobs would have to pay at least the state minimum wage. The commissioner would publish the first list within 90 days after the act takes effect and review it every four years.

The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority would create and open the scholarship application process. The process would serve students who meet the program’s work, education, residency, citizenship, and financial-aid requirements. The Legislature would provide money from the General Fund as needed to carry out the program. The authority would begin approving applications after making the application available. The application process would be established within 120 days after the act takes effect, and the application would be available by the first day of the fifth month after that date.