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. Under this program, students who graduate from participating public or nonpublic high schools and receive a School Counts certificate will be eligible for a two-year scholarship to a county college, covering up to $2,000 per year, with a maximum of $4,000 over the two years. To qualify, students must meet specific criteria, including maintaining a 95% attendance rate, achieving a minimum C grade point average, and completing more than the minimum required credits for graduation. The program is designed to encourage students to pursue higher education and is modeled after an initiative by the Business Coalition for Educational Excellence.

The scholarship program will be administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority and will be financed through a combination of state appropriations, county college funds, and private contributions. In its first year, four county colleges will be selected to participate, with additional colleges added in subsequent years until all are involved. The program also includes provisions for students who may need to withdraw due to illness or family emergencies, ensuring they are not penalized or required to repay scholarships under such circumstances. The act is set to take effect for the 2024-2025 academic year, allowing the authority to take necessary administrative actions beforehand.