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A bill that would form a study commission to address the affordability of college is going back to Gov. Chris Christie's desk (Star-Ledger file photo)
TRENTON — A college affordability bill vetoed by Gov. Chris Christie last year will come back to his desk for reconsideration.
The bill (S979) would create a task force charged with studying different ways to help make college more affordable for New Jersey students. It was passed by the state Assembly on Thursday, giving it final legislative approval.
Christie last year commended the Legislature for its interest in curbing college costs. But he rejected two prior versions of the bill because they called for staff from the executive branch to work on the study, which he said would duplicate work the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education was already doing.
The amended bill passed Thursday calls for the Office of Legislative Services to provide staff and related support services for the commission, as Christie recommended.
Among the ideas the commission would study is a "Pay It Forward Pilot Program" in which public college and universities could waive tuition and fees in favor of taking a percentage of students' future earnings.
The commission would also study several other ways to reduce college costs, including an accelerated program for high school students interested in pursuing a career in medicine.
State Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester), a co-sponsor of the bill, said college should be within the reach of all students, not just the wealthy.
"Students will continue to drown in a sea of debt if we refuse to take any sort of action on this issue," Sweeney said. "We cannot stand on the sidelines and allow this to continue.
John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), one of the tandem Assemblly bill's sponsors, said rising tuition costs are placing "unbearable financial burdens on New Jersey college students and families."
"The findings of the commission have the potential to open doors for students who otherwise could not afford a college education," Wisniewski said.
Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.