NJ A4220

Establishes a New Jersey Transfer Ombudsperson within the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education to serve as a resource for students and institutions regarding credit transfer compliance and to mediate disputes between students and institutions

Requires all public institutions of higher education to enter into a collective Statewide transfer agreement ensuring general education course credits are fully transferable across all public institutions, with exceptions for certification, licensure, or accreditation requirements

Mandates that associate degrees from county colleges be fully credited as the first two years of a baccalaureate degree at four-year public institutions to which students are admitted

Requires transfer of credits earned through dual enrollment or concurrent enrollment agreements between public schools and institutions of higher education, including out-of-state institutions if approved by the Secretary of Higher Education

Directs the ombudsperson to prepare annual reports on transfer student data, institutional compliance, degree completion rates, and recommendations for improving transfer student outcomes, with periodic reviews of the transfer agreement at least every five years