The New Jersey College Ready Students Program Act aims to provide tuition-free dual enrollment opportunities at county colleges for eligible public high school students. The program will be established by the Commissioner of Education in consultation with the Secretary of Higher Education. Eligibility for the tuition benefit will align with the Statewide family need standards set by the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund. Students in the 11th and 12th grades can earn up to 3 credits per semester and a maximum of 6 credits per school year, contingent upon their school district having a dual enrollment agreement with a county college and the student meeting a minimum grade point average indicating college readiness. To maintain eligibility, students must achieve a grade of C or higher in their college courses, with the option to take one remedial course tuition-free per semester if they fall short of the GPA requirement.

The State will cover the tuition costs for participating students, and the Commissioner of Education is required to submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature detailing program participation, completion rates, costs, and other relevant metrics. The act is set to take effect immediately and will first apply to the full school year following its enactment.