N.J. Stat. Ann. § 18A:39-1.9

2. A board of education which provides for the transportation of pupils pursuant to section 1 of this act may not exclude from this transportation any pupil whose parent, legal guardian or other person having legal custody of the child is unable to pay the costs of that transportation because of financial hardship. In determining financial hardship, the criteria shall be the same as the Statewide eligibility standards established by the State Board of Education for free and reduced price meals under the State school lunch program.