18A:71A-9 Further powers of the authority.

18A:71A-9. Further Powers of the Authority.

The authority shall have the following powers to:

a. further access to postsecondary education, whether by loans, grants, scholarships, savings programs, or other means as approved by the Legislature to meet the expenses of postsecondary education;

b. make, assist in the placing of federally guaranteed student loans, service or otherwise provide such loans:

(1) to persons who are residents of this State or who reside outside this State who are attending and are in good standing in, or who plan to attend, any eligible institution located in this State or elsewhere; or

(2) to parents of persons meeting the requirements set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection, in order to assist them in meeting the expenses of postsecondary education;

c. guarantee the loans in subsection b. of this section upon such terms and conditions as the authority may prescribe; provided that the amounts may not exceed the annual and aggregate amounts authorized under 20 U.S.C.s.1071 et seq.;

d. buy and sell approved notes evidencing loans made under this act, and to buy and sell participations in approved notes made pursuant to this act, either by buying and selling directly or by establishing a separate entity which will serve as a secondary market for student loans under the oversight of the authority, which entity shall take action and adopt rules subject to the approval of the authority;

e. be the State guaranty agency for the State of New Jersey and engage in programs which state guaranty agencies are authorized to participate in pursuant to 20 U.S.C. s.1071 et seq.;

f. be the lead State agency in coordination with the commission in determining policy on student assistance issues;

g. assist students who are parties to loans made, funded, or guaranteed under this act to qualify for federal interest subsidy, special allowance, loan forgiveness or other applicable benefits;

h. establish a separate entity or utilize established agencies to administer loan programs, which entity or agencies shall administer authority loan programs and adopt rules subject to the approval of the authority. Loans made by the entity or agencies shall be subject to the same criteria as to amount, interest and payment as are other loans authorized under this act, and shall be given to students who are eligible for loans under the terms and conditions of the law but have been unable to secure them;

i. be an agency of communication with departments and agencies of the United States on the availability of grants or loans to this State for purposes related to or similar to those set forth in this act;

j. request and receive from any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the State or any subdivision thereof the assistance and data necessary to properly carry out its powers, duties and functions;

k. make and service loans to eligible borrowers through State loan programs established by law;

l. administer loan redemption and related fellowship programs established by law;

m. administer and coordinate grant, scholarship and tuition aid programs as established by law;

n. be the primary State agency for the administration of non-campus based federal grant and scholarship programs for students seeking to meet the expenses of postsecondary education;

o. inform the public of financial aid programs to meet the expenses of postsecondary education;

p. perform audit and review functions, including federally mandated lender and school reviews, campus level State student financial aid program reviews and State-mandated annual internal control reviews; and

q. assist the Attorney General in the investigation of alleged violations of all criminal statutes related to fraud or a breach of fiduciary obligations committed by any person who has obtained or aided and abetted in obtaining loans, loan guarantees, scholarships, and grants or other moneys from this authority; and to work in conjunction with the appropriate prosecuting authorities in the prosecution of cases where it is determined that evidence of criminal activity exists.

L.1999,c.46,s.1.