NJ A2534

Establishes the Jersey Strong Public Service Scholarship Program administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to provide scholarships to students who work in public service sectors with critical workforce shortages (such as hospitals, public schools, crossing guards, or first responders).

Awards up to 15 scholarships annually: $25,000 maximum over two academic years for students completing one year of full-time public service employment, or $50,000 maximum over four academic years for those completing two years.

Eligibility requires New Jersey residency, U.S. citizenship, recent high school graduation (within one year or within six months of application), and full-time employment in an eligible public service sector at minimum wage or higher.

Recipients must maintain State residency, enroll full-time in a public institution of higher education, apply for all available State and federal financial aid (excluding loans), and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Scholarships must be repaid if a student is dismissed for academic or disciplinary reasons or withdraws without authority approval, but repayment is waived for withdrawals due to personal illness, family illness, or family emergency.