Textbook Program Overview
Textbook Program Overview
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The Nonpublic School Textbook Program requires New Jersey public school districts to purchase and loan textbooks to students in nonpublic schools located within their boundaries. Established by N.J.S.A. 18A:58-37 et seq., the program ensures that both public and nonpublic school students have access to educational materials necessary for their academic development. More info: https://www.nj.gov/education/nonpublic/state/textbook/index.shtml
Program Administration
Program Administration
Districts must follow specific procedures to ensure equitable distribution of textbooks to all eligible students.
Public school districts purchase and maintain ownership of all textbooks
Textbooks must be loaned upon individual written request from parents/guardians
All textbooks must be used in or approved for use in New Jersey public schools
Textbooks must be secular/nonsectarian with no religious content
Districts must properly label all books as the public school district's property
Eligible Materials & Funding
Eligible Materials & Funding
State aid is provided based on a formula that accounts for nonpublic school enrollment figures.
Eligible textbooks include books, workbooks, manuals (bound or looseleaf), and electronic textbooks
Digital textbooks with media-rich content are included in the program
Reference materials, supplementary materials, and computer peripherals are excluded
Funding is calculated based on the state average budgeted textbook expense per public school student
Districts are not required to spend more than the allocated state aid amount
Process Timeline & Accountability
Process Timeline & Accountability
The program follows a structured timeline to ensure textbooks are available at the start of the school year.
Individual written requests from parents are due by March 1
Purchase orders are prepared by June using estimated funding
State aid is received by July 31
Orders are submitted immediately after funding is received
Districts must submit a Project Completion Report at year-end
Unexpended funds must be refunded to the state by December 1
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