NJ Criteria on College Costs

NEWBURGH v. ARRIGO, 88 N.J. 529, 545 (1982):

1. Whether the parent, if still living with the child, would have contributed toward the cost of the requested higher education;
2. The effect of the background, values and goals of the parent on the reasonableness of the expectation of the child for higher education;
3. The amount of the contribution sought by the child for higher education;
4. The ability of the parent to pay that cost;
5. The relationship of the requested contribution to the kind of school or course of study sought by the child;
6. The financial resources of both parents;
7. The commitment to and aptitude of the child for the requested education;
8. The financial resources of the child, including assets owned individually or held in custodianship or trust;
9. The ability of the child to earn income during the school year or on vacation;
10. The availability of financial aid in the form of college grants and loans;
11. The child's relationship to the paying parent, including mutual affection and shared goals as well as responsiveness to parental advice and guidance;
12. The relationship of the education requested to any prior training and to the overall long-range goals of the child.

NOTE:  Where there are unemancipated children under age 18, in addition to the college student(s), the Child Support Guidelines shall be first applied as to said unemancipated children, before determining the college contribution and any child support obligation as to the college student.

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