This bill amends existing laws regarding the eligibility of undocumented students for in-State tuition rates and student financial assistance at public institutions of higher education in New Jersey. It specifically eliminates the provision that allowed undocumented students to qualify for in-State tuition if they attended high school in the state for three or more years and graduated, among other criteria. The new requirement stipulates that to be eligible for in-State tuition, a student must be a citizen of the United States or an eligible noncitizen as defined under federal law. Additionally, the bill repeals the section that allowed certain students, including undocumented immigrants, to access State student financial aid programs based on similar criteria.

The bill also makes technical revisions to ensure consistency in the law, particularly regarding students holding T or U visas and their dependents, which remain unaffected by the changes. Overall, the legislation tightens the eligibility criteria for in-State tuition and financial aid, effectively excluding undocumented students from these benefits.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:62-4.4, 18A:62-4.6, 18A:71B-2.6