NJ SCR94

Urges the Secretary of Higher Education and the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Board to study current EOF program regulations that disadvantage students who earned associate degrees or 24+ college credits through dual enrollment programs while in high school

Addresses a conflict where high school graduates with associate degrees are placed in the lowest EOF funding priority level (category 5) rather than being treated as first-time freshmen (category 2), potentially reducing their financial aid

Calls for examination of whether other EOF regulations similarly conflict with state policies encouraging participation in college readiness programs such as Advanced Placement, P-TECH, and vocational-technical schools

Requests the Secretary share study findings and proposed solutions with the Senate and Assembly Higher Education Committees

The EOF program, established in 1968, provides Opportunity Grants to educationally and economically disadvantaged students to cover college expenses not covered by the Tuition Aid Grant program