18A:71B-107 Undergraduate ACES Scholar program.

4. a. Each research university that participates in the ACES Program shall establish an undergraduate ACES Scholar program, which provides talented underrepresented students who have been accepted for admission to the university and who are interested in pursuing a degree in a STEM discipline, with generous financial aid packages and enhanced academic support as they pursue their baccalaureate degrees. In selecting students for participation in the undergraduate ACES Scholar program, the university may give preference to students who previously participated in the ACES pre-college summer program.

b. The undergraduate ACES Scholar program at each participating research university shall include, at a minimum, the following components:

(1) admissions and financial aid workshops for high school students interested in applying for the undergraduate ACES Scholar program;

(2) a substantial scholarship package for each student selected to participate in the ACES Scholar program, including support for tuition, fees, and living expenses;

(3) customized campus visit days for the ACES Scholars and their families;

(4) enhanced academic support services for the ACES Scholars throughout the pursuit of their college degrees;

(5) mentorship programs, including faculty and peer mentoring;

(6) alumni networking opportunities;

(7) opportunities for co-operative education and internship programs with New Jersey STEM companies; and

(8) any other services as determined by the research university to assist the ACES Scholars in acclimating to college and succeeding as they pursue their STEM degrees.

c. The Secretary of Higher Education may require, as a condition of participating in the ACES Scholar program and receiving scholarship funds, that the participating students commit to working in the State of New Jersey for four years after graduating from the research university.

L.2019, c.431, s.4.