This bill aims to phase out State tuition aid grants for students enrolled in proprietary institutions of higher education, redirecting the funding to a summer tuition aid grant program. Starting with the 2026-2027 academic year, State tuition aid grants will only be available to students who received an award prior to that academic year, allowing them to continue receiving support until they are no longer eligible. The bill also stipulates that funds previously allocated for proprietary institutions will be redirected to support summer tuition aid grants for students enrolled in eligible institutions, which include county colleges, public research universities, State colleges, and independent institutions of higher education.

Key amendments include the definition of eligible institutions and the requirement for these institutions to provide detailed graduation and transfer rates of State tuition aid grant recipients to the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. Additionally, the bill establishes a framework for funding summer tuition aid grants, including provisions for proration based on credit enrollment and the potential for additional legislative appropriations to support these grants in future academic years. The act is set to take effect immediately, with its first application in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:71B-19.1, 18A:71B-20