4. As used in sections 5 through 8 of this act:
"Authority" means the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority established pursuant to N.J.S.18A:71A-3.
"Eligible tuition expenses" means tuition expenses that were incurred by a program participant in attending an accredited master's degree or Ph.D. program in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics or that were incurred by a program participant in the completion of 30 credits in a coherent sequence of courses in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, and which were not covered by any grants or scholarships.
"Program" means the tuition reimbursement program established pursuant to section 5 of this act for teachers who acquire a master's degree or Ph.D. in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics or who complete 30 credits in a coherent sequence of courses in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
"Program participant" means a teacher who contracts with the authority to teach STEM classes in a public school following the completion of a master's degree or Ph.D. program in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics or following the completion of 30 credits in a coherent sequence of courses in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, in return for tuition reimbursement provided under the program.