In a July 15 broadcast memo, the New Jersey Department of Education provided 2026-2027 implementation information for P.L.2025, c.252, which modified the way school districts will receive funding to provide Auxiliary services (“Chapter 192”) and Remedial services (“Chapter 193”) for students in nonpublic schools.

Pursuant to the new law, school districts will no longer receive initial Chapters 192-193 allocations, or the opportunity to apply for additional funding throughout the school year. Rather, the law requires, in part, NJDOE to administer the Chapters as follows:

• Districts will be reimbursed for actual expenditures, up to approved maximum reimbursement rates. Maximum reimbursement rates for the 2026-2027 school year were determined based on the amounts appropriated in the FY2027 State budget for the programs and the average number of services provided in the past three school years

• School districts seeking reimbursement shall submit applications on a quarterly basis and adhere to all submission guidelines, accounting and budgeting guidance, documentation requirements, and defined timelines for reimbursement as determined by the NJDOE.

• Reimbursements shall be made to school districts throughout the school year until funding is exhausted.

The NJDOE’s July 15 broadcast memo fleshes out these statutory requirements and provides implementation guidance. This includes:

• Details on maximum reimbursement rates, reimbursement request submission requirements, and associated timelines available on NJDOE’s State Funding for Auxiliary and Remedial Services for Students in Nonpublic Schools Guidance webpage. School districts should note that the reimbursement system for Quarter 1 (i.e. to seek reimbursement for July, August, and September expenditures) will open September 1 and close October 15. 1^st Quarter payments will be made October 31.

• Guidance on steps the NJDOE will take to avoid districts incurring expenses that cannot be reimbursed. “The Department recognizes that this may yield a situation in which, if the number of actual services provided in the 2026-2027 school year exceeds the three-year average number of services provided, the amounts appropriated may be insufficient to provide funding for the entire fiscal year” the guidance states. To assist districts, the guidance continues: “the Department will report the amount that has been expended year-to-date after making the quarterly reimbursements. This report will allow school districts to assess the possibility that expenses that have been incurred may not be reimbursed and consult with nonpublic schools and service providers accordingly. The Department will also advise districts if it believes that sufficient funding may not be available for the full school year and estimate the time in the school year that funds will no longer be available for reimbursement.”

For additional information, please see the NJDOE’s broadcast memo.