TRENTON | The Legislature voted Monday to tighten eligibility for scholarship programs that cover community college tuition for students graduating at the top of their high school class.

The NJ STARS, or New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship, also continues paying tuition to four-year schools for students who perform well academically.

The measure is an attempt to ease the burden on the state's colleges, which pay for a portion of the scholarships. It also aims to keep the program viable at the state level. It passed the Assembly, 65-10, with two abstentions, and the Senate, 33-4. It heads to Gov. Jon Corzine for final approval.

"As much as NJ STARS has become a source of pride for students and their families, the program is at imminent risk of becoming a victim of its own success," said Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan, D-Middlesex, the bill sponsor.

"Reserving NJ STARS scholarships for the smartest, hardest-working and most-deserving students will protect its long-term viability," he continued.

The bill scales back eligibility for the NJ STARS program from students graduating in the top 20 percent of their high school class to the top 15 percent.

Participating students would be required to graduate from a community college with a 3.25 cumulative grade-point average as opposed to the current 3.0 to qualify for the NJ STARS II program that covers a portion of tuition for students who go on to four-year schools.

Current NJ STARS program recipients in their first year of community college would need at least a 3.25 GPA upon graduation to qualify for NJ STARS II. Those in the second year of enrollment need only meet the 3.0 requirement.

The measure also places a $250,000-a-year income cap on families of students seeking an NJ STARS II scholarship.

The legislation comes after a report by a 12-person task force assembled last summer to review the NJ STARS programs. According to the bill sponsors, the committee found many NJ STARS students needed remedial coursework. It also found that the number of NJ STARS students seeking four-year degrees could increase tuition to colleges.

Assemblywoman Pam Lampitt, D-Camden, also a bill sponsor, said the legislation was necessary to "ensure the program does not fall victim to unintended financial consequences at either the state or college levels."

The measure would take effect immediately.

The NJ STARS program, created in 2004, provides scholarships to more than 4,100 community college students. About 1,200 students are enrolled in the NJ STARS II program, providing $4,000 scholarships to participants.

ELIGIBILITY CHANGES

Under the changes to the NJ STARS and NJ STARS II programs approved Monday by the Assembly:

-- High school seniors seeking the scholarship would have to take a placement test; remedial coursework would not be covered by the scholarship.

-- NJ STARS II funds would cover tuition only with a maximum benefit of $7,000 to be covered equally by the institution and the state.

-- Students graduating with a 3.5 GPA or better would receive $7,000 per academic year under the NJ STARS II program and $6,000 for a GPA between 3.25 and 3.49.

-- Students would be eligible to take 18 credits per semester as opposed to 15 under both programs.

-- Students of military personnel transferred to a facility in New Jersey would also be eligible for scholarships.