As used in section 2 of this act:
"Authority" means the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority established pursuant to N.J.S. 18A:71A-3.
"Eligible student loan expenses" means the outstanding balance of the principal and interest due on student loans used to cover the cost of attendance while enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an institution of higher education.
"Low performing public school" means a school located in New Jersey, under collegiate grade, which is operated by a school district or a charter school established pursuant to P.L. 1995, c.426 (C.18A:36A-1 et seq.) that meets the criteria of paragraph (1) or paragraph (2):
"Program participant" means a person who is initially hired by a school district following the effective date of this act and who meets the criteria of section 2 of this act, and who has executed a contract with the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority for participation in the loan redemption program. A program participant shall be a resident of New Jersey.
"School district" means a local or regional school district established pursuant to chapter 8 or chapter 13 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes, a county vocational school district established pursuant to article 3 of chapter 54 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes, and a school district under full State intervention pursuant to P.L. 1987, c.399 (C.18A:7A-34 et seq.).
N.J.S. § 18A:71C-74