SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 68

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  AUGUST 20, 2020

      The Senate Education Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 68 with committee amendments.

      As amended, this bill requires each school district to incorporate information in grades 11 and 12 on the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Career Readiness, Life Literacies, and Key Skills, and to encourage students and their parent or guardian to complete the application. The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, is directed to publish a list of resources for school districts, parents, and students that include instructions on how to complete a FAFSA.

      The committee amended the bill to direct school districts to incorporate information in grades 11 and 12 on the free application for federal student aid as part of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Career Readiness, Life Literacies, and Key Skills.  The bill as introduced required the adoption by each school district of a local graduation requirement that a student complete and submit such an application.  The committee also amended the bill to change the effective date to the first full school year following the date of enactment.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.