Governor Phil Murphy has signed into law A4544, legislation introduced by Assemblyman Avi Schnall that lays the groundwork for graduate and post-graduate students in New Jersey to become eligible for the state’s child care assistance program.
While no funding is currently available for graduate or post-graduate students under the program, this new law ensures that once federal or state dollars are allocated, parents pursuing advanced degrees will be able to access the support.
“Expanding access to child care is about preparing for the future,” said Assemblyman Schnall. “This law creates the infrastructure so that once funding is available, parents pursuing graduate or professional education will no longer be excluded from the program. It is a critical step in supporting families who are working hard to advance their education and careers.”
The legislation was introduced in the New Jersey Senate by Senate Majority Leader Theresa Ruiz. It ensures that full-time graduate and post-graduate students enrolled in good standing at accredited institutions of higher education can qualify for the program, provided they meet the same income, asset, and residency requirements as other participants. Previously, only parents pursuing associate’s or bachelor’s degrees were eligible.
The law also directs the Department of Human Services (DHS) to apply for any necessary federal waivers or amendments to secure funding through the Child Care and Development Block Grant.
Despite this progress, Schnall noted that new applications to the child care assistance program remain frozen due to federal funding cutbacks. “This law does not change the freeze currently in place,” he said. “But it ensures that once funding resumes, graduate students will have the opportunity to receive the same support as others.”