The New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA) has called for updates to the state’s Tuition Aid Grants (TAG) program, recommending that it expand support beyond traditional academic degrees to include industry-aligned noncredit credentials. The proposal was presented during testimony before the Senate Higher Education Committee, which is considering legislation to require TAG grant awards for students at public colleges to match those at private institutions.
Althea D. Ford, NJBIA Vice President of Government Affairs, said the current structure of TAG does not address the needs of many students preparing for careers in sectors with workforce shortages. “TAG currently requires enrollment in a degree-granting program, which excludes many industry-valued noncredit workforce training programs that prepare students for in-demand careers,” Ford stated. “This leaves a growing segment of learners without access to comparable state support, even though they are pursuing credentials that fill critical workforce gaps.”
Ford pointed out that employers in fields such as healthcare, IT, advanced manufacturing, and construction report significant shortages of skilled workers who have credentials short of a degree. She explained that existing financial aid systems do not sufficiently help students seeking these noncredit but employer-valued credentials.
NJBIA supports recently introduced legislation—S-1467—that would expand TAG eligibility to workforce training programs. This bill would direct the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to identify eligible programs based on criteria like minimum instructional hours and strong job placement outcomes. “This approach recognizes that many critical workforce pathways — from advanced manufacturing certificates to cybersecurity bootcamps, healthcare certifications, and apprenticeship programs — do not result in traditional degrees yet provide essential skills and employment,” Ford said.
Ford also advocated continued support for the Summer TAG program, which allows students to take summer courses and accelerate their graduation timeline—a modernization added in 2023.
However, Ford expressed concerns about S-3383—the bill under committee discussion—saying equalizing TAG amounts between public and private college students could negatively impact private institutions due to their higher tuition rates and different levels of state funding. “We are concerned about this type of effort because we do believe that it limits a student and family’s choice to attend an educational setting that best aligns with the student’s needs and their career goals,” she said. “And so, while we recognize the need to be very intentional about how public dollars are utilized … we don’t want an unintended consequence that, in essence, closes off access to independent or private schools based on a student’s financial ability.”
Senator Joseph Cryan (D-20), chair of the committee and sponsor of S-3383 as well as S-1467, noted at the meeting’s start that S-3383 was on the agenda for discussion only. He emphasized his intention was “to take testimony, gain insight from various perspectives, and make the legislation better.”
The NJBIA serves as the largest statewide employer association in the United States and represents businesses across multiple sectors throughout New Jersey. The organization works to advance its members’ competitive excellence through advocacy efforts and provides information services aimed at supporting business prosperity (source). Michele Siekerka is president and CEO (source). NJBIA also helps foster partnerships among businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions (source).
To read Ford’s entire written testimony visit NJBIA’s website.
