Lawmakers consider amending N.J. scholarship requirement

A state Senate committee will consider a measure Monday aimed at ending confusion over a scholarship program that covers tuition at New Jersey’s community colleges.

High school students who graduate in the top 15 percent of their class are supposed to be eligible for an NJ STARS scholarship.

However, because of some inaccurate advice, that determination was based on students’ junior year records, and 14 students who expected NJ STARS funding this year were told they weren’t eligible because they dropped out of the top ranking as seniors.

Legislation sponsored by Senator Diane Allen would consider a senior or junior year performance for STARS eligibility.

“We want to grab them and say, OK, we didn’t mean to throw you guys out. You will in fact get the New Jersey STARS imprimatur,” she said.

Allowing the junior year ranking to be considered gives students enough time to make their higher education plans by knowing whether or not they’ll get the scholarship, Allen said.