18A:71B-85.2 Option to take fewer credits; eligibility for NJ STARS scholarship.

3. a. A student who receives an NJ STARS scholarship shall be eligible to take less than 12 credits in the final semester if the county college determines that the student needs to complete less than 12 credits in that semester to complete the degree program.

b. In the case of a student who is enrolled in an associate degree program regularly requiring six semesters, the student shall not receive an NJ STARS scholarship for the sixth semester but shall maintain eligibility for the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship II (NJ STARS II) Program established pursuant to P.L.2005, c.359 (C.18A:71B-86.1 et seq.), provided that the student meets the requirements for receipt of an NJ STARS II scholarship.

c. Beginning in the 2015-2016 academic year, a student shall be eligible to participate in the NJ STARS program and take less than 12 credits in a semester if: the student provides to the county college a written note from a physician or other licensed health care professional indicating the student's need to take a reduced number of credits due to a physical or mental health condition; or the student provides to the county college, in such form as determined by the authority, verification of the recent death of the student's parent or spouse. To receive an NJ STARS payment for the semester, a student who receives a medical exemption or an exemption due to the recent death of the student's parent or spouse from the full-time course of study requirement pursuant to this subsection shall enroll for a minimum of six credits in the semester. A student shall receive an additional semester of NJ STARS eligibility for each semester the student receives an exemption from the full-time course of study requirement pursuant to this subsection, not to exceed five additional semesters.

L.2008, c.124, s.3; amended 2017, c.360, s.2; 2019, c.232, s.1.