The New Jersey School Counts County College Scholarship Program Act establishes a scholarship program aimed at supporting high school graduates who demonstrate strong attendance, punctuality, and academic performance. Eligible students who graduate from participating public or nonpublic high schools and receive a School Counts certificate will be able to apply for a two-year scholarship to a county college, with awards of up to $2,000 per year, covering tuition, books, and necessary fees. To qualify, students must meet specific criteria, including maintaining a 95% attendance rate, achieving a minimum C grade point average, and completing their studies within a designated timeframe.

The program will be administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority in collaboration with the Business Coalition for Educational Excellence. It will be funded through a mix of state appropriations, county college funds, and private contributions, with provisions for matching state funds based on private fundraising efforts by the colleges. The initiative aims to encourage participation from all county colleges, starting with four selected institutions in the first year, and expanding to include all county colleges in subsequent years. The act is set to take effect for the 2016-2017 academic year, allowing the authority to take necessary administrative actions immediately.