Scholarship rule change aids college planning in N.J.

TRENTON - High-performing New Jersey high school juniors can now qualify for the NJ STARS scholarship, which will enable them to attend community college tuition-free after they graduate, according to a recently signed bill.

The new law, signed last week by Gov. Christie, calls for eligibility to be based on class rank at the end of either junior or senior year.

Previously, qualifying students had to rank in the top 15 percent of their graduating class, timing that could make college planning difficult.

"Students and their families make decisions about where to attend college from February to April of the students' senior year of high school," said New Jersey Council of County Colleges president Lawrence Nespoli.

The new law lets students know their options earlier. If they don't quite make the grade in junior year, they have senior year to improve.

Students still must prove they are college-ready by meeting score requirements on either the SAT or the county colleges' placement exam.

If they don't meet the requirement, they have a year to do so and still qualify for the scholarship.

Students who earn their associate's degree from a community college with a grade-point average of 3.25 or better are eligible for an up-to-$2,500-a-year NJ STARS II scholarship at any New Jersey public or independent New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant-participating four-year college or university.