NJ S1454

Students applying for New Jersey state grants or scholarships who cannot verify income through federal/state agency documents or tax returns would be allowed to submit monthly expense and resource statements as an alternative verification method.

The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) must impute in-kind support amounts, assuming a minimal standard of living, for students who report zero income and assets on their monthly expense and resource statements.

In-kind support includes expenses paid on behalf of a student (or student's family for dependent students) that are not considered loans.

HESAA is required to promulgate regulations through the Administrative Procedure Act to implement these provisions.

The law would take effect immediately and apply starting with the first full academic year following enactment.