N.J. Stat. § 18A:64A-22: Annual budget requests for State support of colleges.

Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the Council of County Colleges shall submit to the State Treasurer, the Secretary of Higher Education, the Governor, and the Legislature an annual budget request for State support of county colleges to meet the colleges’ and State’s strategic priorities. Within the limits of funds appropriated for State support of the county colleges, the board of trustees of a county college may, based upon the itemized statement fixed and determined pursuant to N.J.S.18A:64A-17, apply to the State Treasurer and receive State support:

a. For capital projects in amounts not to exceed one-half of the cost of the capital projects, and

b. For operational costs to the extent of 43 percent but not to exceed 50 percent of the educational and general costs of the county colleges in the base year, provided, however, that for the purposes of determining State aid, only credit courses and noncredit remedial, developmental, general education development, and adult basic education courses shall be included in calculating the educational and general costs. This sum shall be distributed to the county colleges by the State Treasurer pursuant to a performance-based formula developed by the Council of County Colleges and approved by the State Treasurer and the Secretary of Higher Education. The formula shall include categorical support and differential funding based on program costs and shall ensure that all county colleges receive funding in an equitable, results-oriented, and transparent manner. The council shall, every three years, provide to the State Treasurer and secretary any recommended improvements to the performance-based formula to ensure that State aid to the county colleges rewards postsecondary access, equity, and student success.

No county college shall receive more than 50 percent of its projected educational and general costs through the provisions of this act.

Each county which operates a county college shall continue to provide moneys for the support of the college in an amount no less than those moneys provided in the year in which this act is enacted or 25 percent of the operational expense in the base State fiscal year, whichever is greater.

State support for the operational expenses of county colleges shall be made within limits of State appropriation.

L.1967, c.271; amended 1977,c.133; 1979,c.110; 1981,c.329,s.5; 1994, c.48,s.134; 2025, c.371, s.1.