SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 4069

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 9, 2021

     The Senate Higher Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 4069.

     This bill repeals N.J.S.18A:71B-6, which requires a student who is subject to the provisions of the federal “Military Selective Service Act,” to provide verification of compliance in order to be eligible for State-funded loans, grants, or scholarships.  This bill also removes the requirement that students comply with the “Military Selective Service Act” in order to be eligible for scholarships offered under the State’s Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Scholarships Program. 

     In December 2020, Congress amended federal law to eliminate the requirement for male students to register with Selective Service in order to be eligible for federal student financial aid, by enacting the “FAFSA Simplification Act.”  The United States Department of Education is implementing this law effective for academic year 2021-2022.  This bill aligns State student financial aid eligibility requirements with federal financial aid eligibility requirements.