UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSRS
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-6536
Van Kampen Trust For Investment Grade New Jersey Municipals
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Jerry W. Miller
522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 212-762-4000
Date of fiscal year end: 10/31
Date of reporting period: 4/30/08
Item 1. Reports to Shareholders.
The Trust's semi-annual report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to
Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is as follows:
Welcome, Shareholder
In this report, you'll learn about how your investment in Van Kampen
Trust for Investment Grade New Jersey Municipals performed during the
semiannual period. The portfolio management team will provide an overview
of the market conditions and discuss some of the factors that affected
investment performance during the reporting period. In addition, this
report includes the trust's financial statements and a list of trust
investments as of April 30, 2008.
MARKET FORECASTS PROVIDED IN THIS REPORT MAY NOT NECESSARILY COME TO
PASS. THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT THE TRUST WILL ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE. TRUSTS ARE SUBJECT TO MARKET RISK, WHICH IS THE POSSIBILITY
THAT THE MARKET VALUES OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE TRUST WILL DECLINE AND
THAT THE VALUE OF THE TRUST SHARES MAY THEREFORE BE LESS THAN WHAT YOU
PAID FOR THEM. ACCORDINGLY, YOU CAN LOSE MONEY INVESTING IN THIS TRUST.
INCOME MAY SUBJECT CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS TO THE FEDERAL ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM
TAX (AMT).
<Table>
<Caption>
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NOT FDIC INSURED OFFER NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY NOT A DEPOSIT
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</Table>
Performance Summary as of 4/30/08
<Table>
<Caption>
TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
SYMBOL: VTJ
- ------------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL BASED ON BASED ON
TOTAL RETURNS NAV MARKET PRICE
Since Inception (3/27/92) 6.79% 6.45%
10-year 5.38 5.32
5-year 3.28 3.92
1-year -4.35 -5.34
6-month -1.99 3.76
- ------------------------------------------------------------
</Table>
PERFORMANCE DATA QUOTED REPRESENTS PAST PERFORMANCE, WHICH IS NO GUARANTEE OF
FUTURE RESULTS, AND CURRENT PERFORMANCE MAY BE LOWER OR HIGHER THAN THE FIGURES
SHOWN. FOR THE MOST RECENT MONTH-END PERFORMANCE FIGURES, PLEASE VISIT
VANKAMPEN.COM OR SPEAK WITH YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISER. INVESTMENT RETURNS, NET
ASSET VALUE (NAV) AND COMMON SHARE MARKET PRICE WILL FLUCTUATE AND TRUST SHARES,
WHEN SOLD, MAY BE WORTH MORE OR LESS THAN THEIR ORIGINAL COST.
NAV per share is determined by dividing the value of the trust's portfolio
securities, cash and other assets, less all liabilities and preferred shares, by
the total number of common shares outstanding. The common share market price is
the price the market is willing to pay for shares of the trust at a given time.
Common share market price is influenced by a range of factors, including supply
and demand and market conditions. Total return assumes an investment at the
beginning of the period, reinvestment of all distributions for the period in
accordance with the trust's dividend reinvestment plan, and sale of all shares
at the end of the period. The trust's adviser has waived or reimbursed fees and
expenses from time to time, absent such waivers/reimbursements the trust's
returns would have been lower.
The Lehman Brothers New Jersey Municipal Bond Index is a broad-based statistical
composite of New Jersey municipal bonds. The Index does not include any
expenses, fees or sales charges, which would lower performance. The Index is
unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. It is not possible to
invest directly in an index.
1
Trust Report
FOR THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDED APRIL 30, 2008
MARKET CONDITIONS
The financial markets experienced significant volatility throughout the six-
month reporting period as many large banks and financial firms began writing
down mortgage-related losses, and liquidity and credit availability became even
more restricted. At the same time, the pace of economic growth began to slow,
with gross domestic product (GDP) growth measuring an anemic 0.6 percent for the
fourth quarter of 2007. As weaker economic data was released in the first
quarter of 2008, fears of recession grew and consumer confidence waned,
prompting investors to continue to seek out the relative safety of high-quality
Treasury securities over other sectors of the fixed income market.
The municipal bond market faced additional headwinds as various monoline bond
insurers experienced credit rating downgrades, which caused spreads to widen,
and the auction rate and variable rate markets deteriorated. As a result, the
municipal market underperformed Treasuries for the overall period, with
municipal bond prices reaching historically attractive levels relative to
Treasury bonds in the first quarter of 2008. While yields on short-dated
municipal securities declined, yields on intermediate- and long-dated securities
rose, leading to the steepest yield curve in the past four years as the spread
between one-year and 30-year maturities reached 343 basis points. After a record
year for new municipal bond issuance in 2007, the amount of new issues coming to
market in the first four months of 2008 declined by roughly nine percent versus
the same period one year earlier due in part to a drop in refunding issuance.
Municipal bond issuance by the state of New Jersey was down 42 percent.
The Federal Reserve (the "Fed") took various steps to ease the liquidity crisis
and boost the economy during the period. Not only did the Federal Open Market
Committee reduce the target federal funds rate from 4.50 percent to 2.00 percent
by the end of the period, but in an unprecedented move, the Fed granted primary
Treasury dealers (mostly brokerage firms) access to its discount window and
loosened its collateral requirements, extending loans of Treasury securities in
exchange for lower quality, less liquid securities. Finally, in the biggest
headline event, the Fed arranged and supported JPMorgan Chase's purchase of Bear
Stearns, which was viewed by many as necessary to avoid serious market
repercussions had the firm failed.
2
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
The Trust's return can be calculated based upon either the market price or the
net asset value (NAV) of its shares. NAV per share is determined by dividing the
value of the Trust's portfolio securities, cash and other assets, less all
liabilities and preferred shares, by the total number of common shares
outstanding, while market price reflects the supply and demand for the shares.
As a result, the two returns can differ, as they did during the reporting
period. On an NAV basis, the Trust underperformed its benchmark index, the
Lehman Brothers New Jersey Municipal Bond Index. On a market price basis, the
Trust outperformed its benchmark.
TOTAL RETURN FOR THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDED APRIL 30, 2008
<Table>
<Caption>
- -----------------------------------------------------
LEHMAN BROTHERS
NEW JERSEY
BASED ON BASED ON MUNICIPAL BOND
NAV MARKET PRICE INDEX
-1.99% 3.76% 1.59%
- -----------------------------------------------------
</Table>
Performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of
future results, and current performance may be lower or higher than the figures
shown. Investment return, net asset value and common share market price will
fluctuate and Trust shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their
original cost. See Performance Summary for additional performance information
and index definition.
Although the municipal market rebounded in the last two months of the reporting
period and outperformed Treasuries, it was an extremely difficult period
overall, particularly for higher-yielding, lower-rated bonds as the flight to
quality put considerable pressure on prices. The Trust held an overweight
relative to the Lehman Brothers New Jersey Municipal Bond Index in BBB rated
securities, many of which were in the tobacco and healthcare sectors. The
performance of these securities suffered during the reporting period as spreads
in both sectors widened. As a result, the Trust's holdings here were a primary
contributor to its relative underperformance
The Trust's yield curve positioning also hindered performance as it was
overweighted on the long end of the municipal yield curve, which underperformed
the shorter end of the curve. The negative impact was amplified somewhat by
holdings in longer-maturity inverse floating-rate securities*, which are highly
sensitive to interest rate changes. However, these securities did serve to
enhance the Trust's income and diversification during the period.
Conversely, an overweight to pre-refunded bonds was additive to performance.
These high-quality, shorter-maturity issues benefited as short-term rates
declined during the period. The Trust's overweight to higher-yielding municipal
*An inverse floating-rate security, or "inverse floater", is a variable rate
security whose coupon rate changes in the opposite direction from the change in
the reference rate used to calculate the coupon rate.
3
auction rate securities (ARS) with low durations was also beneficial to
performance.
The Trustees have approved a procedure whereby the trust may, when appropriate,
repurchase its shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions
at a price not above market value or NAV, whichever is lower at the time of
purchase. This may help support the market value of the trust's shares.
There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as
discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Trust in
the future.
4
<Table>
<Caption>
RATINGS ALLOCATIONS AS OF 4/30/08
AAA/Aaa 41.1%
AA/Aa 25.0
A/A 9.1
BBB/Baa 22.0
BB/Ba 0.8
B/B 0.4
Non-Rated 1.6
<Caption>
TOP FIVE SECTORS AS OF 4/30/08
Hospital 19.9%
General Purpose 17.7
Master Tobacco Settlement 9.7
Resource Recovery 8.5
Public Transportation 6.5
</Table>
Subject to change daily. Provided for informational purposes only and should not
be deemed as a recommendation to buy or sell the securities mentioned or
securities in the sectors shown above. Ratings are as a percentage of total
investments. Sectors are as a percentage of total long-term investments.
Securities are classified by sectors that represent broad groupings of related
industries. Van Kampen is a wholly owned subsidiary of a global securities firm
which is engaged in a wide range of financial services including, for example,
securities trading and brokerage activities, investment banking, research and
analysis, financing and financial advisory services. Rating allocations based
upon ratings as issued by Standard and Poor's and Moody's, respectively.
5
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
Each Van Kampen trust provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings
in its semiannual and annual reports within 60 days of the end of the
trust's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The semiannual reports and the
annual reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Van Kampen
also delivers the semiannual and annual reports to fund shareholders, and
makes these reports available on its public Web site, www.vankampen.com.
In addition to the semiannual and annual reports that Van Kampen delivers
to shareholders and makes available through the Van Kampen public Web
site, each fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the
SEC for the trust's first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-Q. Van
Kampen does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal
quarters to shareholders, nor are the reports posted to the Van Kampen
public Web site. You may, however, obtain the Form N-Q filings (as well
as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's Web site,
http://www.sec.gov. You may also review and copy them at the SEC's Public
Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the
SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330. You can also request copies of these materials, upon
payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's e-mail
address (publicinfo@sec.gov) or by writing the Public Reference section
of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-0102.
You may obtain copies of a trust's fiscal quarter filings by contacting
Van Kampen Client Relations at 1-800-341-2929.
6
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES AND PROXY VOTING RECORD
You may obtain a copy of the Trust's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures
without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1-800-341-2929 or by
visiting our Web site at www.vankampen.com. It is also available on the
Securities and Exchange Commission's Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
You may obtain information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating
to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended
June 30 without charge by visiting our Web site at www.vankampen.com.
This information is also available on the Securities and Exchange
Commission's Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
7
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED)
<Table>
<Caption>
PAR
AMOUNT
(000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MUNICIPAL BONDS 171.4%
NEW JERSEY 149.0%
$ 1,500 Bayonne, NJ Redev Agy Royal Caribbean Proj Ser A
(AMT)........................................... 5.375% 11/01/35 $ 1,342,155
2,250 Bergen Cnty, NJ Util Auth Wtr Sys (AMBAC
Insd)........................................... 5.000 12/15/31 2,302,853
1,500 Burlington Cnty, NJ Brdg Commn Econ Dev Rev The
Evergreens Proj................................. 5.625 01/01/38 1,372,515
2,000 Camden Cnty, NJ Muni Util Auth Swr Rev Cap
Apprec Ser B (FGIC Insd)........................ * 09/01/14 1,547,180
2,500 Camden Cnty, NJ Muni Util Auth Swr Rev Cap
Apprec Ser B (FGIC Insd)........................ * 09/01/15 1,835,425
4,095 Camden, NJ (FSA Insd)........................... * 02/15/11 3,763,182
1,000 Colts Neck Twp, NJ Brd Ed (FSA Insd)............ 5.000 02/01/21 1,089,290
1,845 East Orange, NJ Brd Ed Ctf Part Cap Apprec (FSA
Insd)........................................... * 08/01/19 1,113,291
1,845 East Orange, NJ Brd Ed Ctf Part Cap Apprec (FSA
Insd)........................................... * 02/01/25 806,652
2,850 East Orange, NJ Brd Ed Ctf Part Cap Apprec (FSA
Insd)........................................... * 02/01/28 1,047,888
2,330 Edgewater, NJ Muni Util Auth Rev Swr Rfdg (MBIA
Insd) (a) (b)................................... * 11/01/12 2,015,799
1,000 Essex Cnty, NJ Impt Auth Lease Rev Gtd City of
Newark (AMBAC Insd)............................. 5.125 04/01/29 1,013,060
1,000 Essex Cnty, NJ Impt Auth Pkg Fac Rev Rfdg (AMBAC
Insd)........................................... 5.000 10/01/22 1,014,990
1,020 Mantua Twp, NJ Sch Dist Rfdg (MBIA Insd) (b).... 5.000 03/01/15 1,074,244
6,500 Mercer Cnty, NJ Impt Auth Rev Cap Apprec Gtd
Solid Waste Rfdg................................ * 04/01/10 6,166,875
7,055 Mercer Cnty, NJ Impt Auth Rev Cap Apprec Gtd
Solid Waste Rfdg (b)............................ * 04/01/12 6,181,732
1,000 Middlesex Cnty, NJ Impt Auth Rev Admin Bldg
Residential Proj (FNMA Collateralized) (AMT).... 5.350 07/01/34 1,002,080
1,000 Middlesex Cnty, NJ Impt Auth Rev Sr Heldrich Ctr
Hotel Ser A..................................... 5.000 01/01/32 839,910
1,500 New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Middlesex Wtr Co Proj
Rfdg (AMBAC Insd) (AMT)......................... 5.100 01/01/32 1,430,535
500 New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Ret Cmnty Rev Seabrook
Vlg Inc Fac Rfdg................................ 5.250 11/15/26 441,540
2,000 New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Rev Cig Tax............ 5.500 06/15/31 1,887,580
1,500 New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Rev Fac Constr Sub Ser
T7 (FSA Insd) (c) (d)........................... 4.170 09/01/32 1,500,000
1,000 New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Rev First Mtg
Winchester Ser A................................ 5.800 11/01/31 979,160
2,000 New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Rev Kapkowski Rd
Landfill Proj Rfdg.............................. 5.750 10/01/21 1,947,060
525 New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Rev Newark Downtown
Dist Mgmt Corp.................................. 5.125 06/15/27 495,626
</Table>
8 See Notes to Financial Statements
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED) continued
<Table>
<Caption>
PAR
AMOUNT
(000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW JERSEY (CONTINUED)
$ 700 New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Rev Newark Downtown
Dist Mgmt Corp.................................. 5.125% 06/15/37 $ 616,546
10,000 New Jersey Econ Dev Auth St Contract Econ
Recovery (MBIA Insd)............................ 5.900 03/15/21 11,598,900
1,000 New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Cap Hlth
Sys Oblig Grp Ser A............................. 5.375 07/01/33 949,080
1,500 New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Children's
Specialized Hosp Ser A.......................... 5.500 07/01/36 1,383,240
2,060 New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Gen Hosp
Ctr at Passaic (FSA Insd) (a)................... 6.500 07/01/11 2,182,529
4,250 New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Gen Hosp
Ctr at Passaic (FSA Insd) (a)................... 6.750 07/01/19 5,103,953
2,500 New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Hackensack
Univ Med Ctr (AGL Insd)......................... 5.125 01/01/27 2,581,650
2,000 New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Meridian
Hlth Ser I Conv (AGL Insd)...................... 5.000 07/01/38 2,018,920
1,000 New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Palisades
Med Ctr Oblig Grp (ACA Insd).................... 5.250 07/01/28 873,720
490 New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Saint Mary
Hosp (a)........................................ 5.875 07/01/12 518,160
2,300 New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Saint
Peters Univ Hosp Oblig.......................... 5.750 07/01/37 2,242,661
2,000 New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev South
Jersey Hosp..................................... 5.000 07/01/36 1,946,820
2,000 New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev South
Jersey Hosp..................................... 5.000 07/01/46 1,914,300
2,000 New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev South
Jersey Hosp (Prerefunded @ 7/01/12)............. 6.000 07/01/32 2,229,680
280 New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin FHA Jersey City Med
Ctr (AMBAC Insd)................................ 4.800 08/01/21 282,733
7,410 New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Holy Name Hosp...... 5.000 07/01/36 6,453,147
1,000 New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Kennedy Hlth Sys........ 5.625 07/01/31 1,008,710
1,000 New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Saint Clare's Hosp Inc
Rfdg Ser A (Radian Insd)........................ 5.250 07/01/23 1,026,400
885 New Jersey St Ed Fac Auth Rev Beth Medrash
Govoha America Ser G (b)........................ 5.875 07/01/12 915,161
1,000 New Jersey St Ed Fac Auth Rev Beth Medrash
Govoha America Ser G............................ 6.375 07/01/30 1,006,570
2,000 New Jersey St Ed Fac Auth Rev College of NJ Ser
C (FGIC Insd)................................... 5.375 07/01/15 2,133,400
500 New Jersey St Ed Fac Auth Rev Monmouth Univ Ser
D............................................... 5.125 07/01/24 493,210
1,000 New Jersey St Ed Fac Auth Rider Univ Ser A
(Radian Insd)................................... 5.250 07/01/34 968,150
915 New Jersey St Ed Fac Auth Seton Hall Univ Proj
Rfdg (AMBAC Insd)............................... 5.000 07/01/18 931,397
</Table>
See Notes to Financial Statements 9
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED) continued
<Table>
<Caption>
PAR
AMOUNT
(000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW JERSEY (CONTINUED)
$ 1,270 New Jersey St Hsg & Mtg Fin Agy Multi-Family Hsg
Rev Ser A (AMBAC Insd) (AMT).................... 5.550% 05/01/27 $ 1,273,442
2,090 New Jersey St Hsg & Mtg Fin Agy Multi-Family Hsg
Rev Ser F (FSA Insd) (b)........................ 5.050 05/01/13 2,194,667
1,000 New Jersey St Hsg & Mtg Fin Agy Rev Single
Family Hsg Ser U (AMT).......................... 5.000 10/01/37 932,980
4,025 New Jersey St Hsg & Mtg Fin Agy Rev Single
Family Hsg Ser X (AMT) (e)...................... 5.100 10/01/23 4,014,173
3,250 New Jersey St Hsg & Mtg Fin Agy Single Family
Hsg Ser T (AMT)................................. 4.700 10/01/37 2,872,935
390 New Jersey St Tpk Auth Tpk Rev Ser C (MBIA
Insd)........................................... 6.500 01/01/16 449,042
1,880 New Jersey St Tpk Auth Tpk Rev Ser C (MBIA Insd)
(a)............................................. 6.500 01/01/16 2,161,154
1,095 North Bergen Twp, NJ (FSA Insd)................. * 08/15/09 1,059,544
1,000 North Hudson Swr Auth NJ Swr Rev Rfdg Ser A
(FGIC Insd)..................................... 5.250 08/01/16 1,063,740
1,000 North Hudson Swr Auth NJ Swr Rev Rfdg Ser A
(FGIC Insd)..................................... 5.250 08/01/17 1,063,740
5,000 Rahway Valley, NJ Swr Auth Swr Cap Apprec Ser A
(MBIA Insd)..................................... * 09/01/32 1,396,600
860 Rutgers St Univ of NJ Rfdg Ser A................ 6.400 05/01/13 931,707
1,300 Salem Cnty, NJ Impt Auth Rev City Gtd Fin Law St
Office Bldg (FSA Insd).......................... 5.250 08/15/32 1,365,026
3,500 Tobacco Settlement Fin Corp NJ (Prerefunded @
6/01/12)........................................ 6.000 06/01/37 3,887,625
15,000 Tobacco Settlement Fin Corp NJ Ser 1A........... 5.000 06/01/41 12,005,700
7,375 Union Cnty, NJ.................................. 5.000 03/01/16 7,802,529
1,655 Union Cnty, NJ Util Auth Sub Lease Ogden Martin
Ser A (AMBAC Insd) (AMT)........................ 5.350 06/01/23 1,659,766
1,000 University Medicine & Dentistry Ser A (MBIA
Insd)........................................... 5.000 09/01/17 1,026,340
------------
142,750,369
------------
NEW YORK 8.7%
1,000 Port Auth NY & NJ Cons 132nd Ser................ 5.000 09/01/38 1,017,130
5,000 Port Auth NY & NJ Cons 144th Ser (f)............ 5.000 10/01/35 5,110,125
2,000 Port Auth NY & NJ Cons 85th Ser (MBIA Insd)..... 5.375 03/01/28 2,194,620
------------
8,321,875
------------
GUAM 3.3%
815 Guam Govt Ser A................................. 5.250 11/15/37 724,201
1,230 Guam Intl Arpt Auth Gen Ser B (MBIA Insd)....... 5.250 10/01/20 1,274,600
1,250 Guam Pwr Auth Rev Ser A (AMBAC Insd)............ 5.125 10/01/29 1,235,062
------------
3,233,863
------------
PUERTO RICO 7.1%
2,000 Puerto Rico Comwlth Hwy & Tran Auth Hwy Rev Rfdg
Ser Y (FSA Insd) (f)............................ 6.250 07/01/21 2,362,310
770 Puerto Rico Elec Pwr Auth Rev Ser TT (f)........ 5.000 07/01/32 739,166
</Table>
10 See Notes to Financial Statements
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED) continued
<Table>
<Caption>
PAR
AMOUNT
(000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PUERTO RICO (CONTINUED)
$ 1,735 Puerto Rico Elec Pwr Auth Rev Ser TT (f)........ 5.000% 07/01/37 $ 1,665,525
25 Puerto Rico Pub Bldg Auth Rev Govt Fac Ser I
(Comwlth Gtd) (Prerefunded @ 7/01/14)........... 5.250 07/01/33 27,371
2,200 Puerto Rico Pub Bldg Auth Rev Gtd Conv Cap
Apprec Ser D (AMBAC Insd) (Prerefunded @
7/01/17) (g).................................... 0/5.450 07/01/30 1,988,272
------------
6,782,644
------------
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 3.3%
2,000 Virgin Islands Pub Fin Auth Rev Gross Rcpt Taxes
Ln Nt Ser A..................................... 6.375 10/01/19 2,137,120
1,000 Virgin Islands Pub Fin Auth Rev Sr Lien Fd Ln
Rfdg Ser A (ACA Insd)........................... 5.625 10/01/25 1,004,540
------------
3,141,660
------------
TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS 171.4%
(Cost $161,287,928).......................................................... 164,230,411
------------
</Table>
<Table>
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS 6.3%
Gloucester Cnty, NJ Indl Pollutn Ctl Fin Auth Rev Exxon Mobil
($510,000 par, yielding 2.300%, 01/01/22 maturity) (h)...................... 510,000
Rutgers St Univ of NJ Rfdg Ser A
($5,545,000 par, yielding 1.900%, 05/01/18 maturity) (h).................... 5,545,000
------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Cost $6,055,000)........................................................... 6,055,000
------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS 177.7%
(Cost $167,342,928)......................................................... 170,285,411
</Table>
<Table>
LIABILITY FOR FLOATING RATE NOTE OBLIGATIONS RELATED TO SECURITIES HELD (7.4%)
(Cost ($7,125,000))
(7,125) Notes with interest rates ranging from 2.42% to 2.51% at April 30,
2008 and collateral with contractual maturities ranging from 2021
to 2037 (See Note 1) (i)........................................... (7,125,000)
------------
TOTAL NET INVESTMENTS 170.3%
(Cost 160,217,928).......................................................... 163,160,411
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (2.4%)................................. (2,266,510)
PREFERRED SHARES (INCLUDING ACCRUED DISTRIBUTIONS) (67.9%)................... (65,084,138)
------------
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES 100.0%................................ $ 95,809,763
============
</Table>
Percentages are calculated as a percentage of net assets applicable to common
shares.
See Notes to Financial Statements 11
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED) continued
* Zero coupon bond
(a) Escrowed to Maturity
(b) The Trust owns 100% of the outstanding bond issuance.
(c) Security includes a feature allowing the Fund an option on any interest rate
payment date to offer the security for sale at par. The sale is contingent
upon market conditions.
(d) Variable Rate Coupon
(e) Security purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.
(f) Underlying security related to Inverse Floaters entered into by the Trust.
See Note 1.
(g) Security is a "step-up" bond where the coupon increases or steps up at a
predetermined date.
(h) Security includes a put feature allowing the Fund to periodically put the
security back to the issuer at amortized cost on specified put dates. The
interest rate shown represents the current interest rate earned by the Fund
based on the most recent reset date.
(i) Floating rate notes. The interest rates shown reflect the rates in effect at
April 30, 2008.
ACA--American Capital Access
AGL--Assured Guaranty Ltd.
AMBAC--AMBAC Indemnity Corp.
AMT--Alternative Minimum Tax
FGIC--Financial Guaranty Insurance Co.
FNMA--Federal National Mortgage Association
FSA--Financial Security Assurance Inc.
Comwth--Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
MBIA--Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corp.
Radian--Radian Asset Assurance
12 See Notes to Financial Statements
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
April 30, 2008 (Unaudited)
<Table>
ASSETS:
Total Investments (Cost $167,342,928)....................... $170,285,411
Cash........................................................ 29,667
Receivables:
Interest.................................................. 1,949,234
Investments Sold.......................................... 373,545
Other....................................................... 315
------------
Total Assets............................................ 172,638,172
------------
LIABILITIES:
Payables:
Floating Rate Note Obligations............................ 7,125,000
Investments Purchased..................................... 4,025,000
Investment Advisory Fee................................... 59,289
Income Distributions--Common Shares....................... 18,878
Other Affiliates.......................................... 9,557
Trustees' Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans........ 419,818
Accrued Expenses............................................ 86,729
------------
Total Liabilities....................................... 11,744,271
Preferred Shares (including accrued distributions).......... 65,084,138
------------
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES...................... $ 95,809,763
============
NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE ($95,809,763 divided by
6,048,203 shares outstanding)............................. $ 15.84
============
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Common Shares ($0.01 par value with an unlimited number of
shares authorized, 6,048,203 shares issued and
outstanding).............................................. $ 60,482
Paid in Surplus............................................. 93,187,866
Net Unrealized Appreciation................................. 2,942,483
Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment Income............. 922,976
Accumulated Net Realized Loss............................... (1,304,044)
------------
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES...................... $ 95,809,763
============
PREFERRED SHARES ($0.01 par value, authorized 100,000,000
shares, 2,600 issued with liquidation preference of
$25,000 per share)........................................ $ 65,000,000
============
NET ASSETS INCLUDING PREFERRED SHARES....................... $160,809,763
============
</Table>
See Notes to Financial Statements 13
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2008 (Unaudited)
<Table>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Interest.................................................... $ 4,498,091
-----------
EXPENSES:
Investment Advisory Fee..................................... 446,306
Interest and Residual Trust Expenses........................ 142,928
Preferred Share Maintenance................................. 88,891
Professional Fees........................................... 31,636
Accounting and Administrative Expenses...................... 21,938
Reports to Shareholders..................................... 13,400
Transfer Agent Fees......................................... 11,318
Registration Fees........................................... 10,526
Custody..................................................... 9,598
Trustees' Fees and Related Expenses......................... 7,944
Depreciation in Trustees' Deferred Compensation Accounts.... (40,258)
Other....................................................... 12,627
-----------
Total Expenses.......................................... 756,854
Investment Advisory Fee Reduction....................... 81,147
-----------
Net Expenses............................................ 675,707
-----------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME....................................... $ 3,822,384
===========
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/LOSS:
Net Realized Loss........................................... $ (434,402)
-----------
Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation:
Beginning of the Period................................... 7,166,509
End of the Period......................................... 2,942,483
-----------
Net Unrealized Depreciation During the Period............... (4,224,026)
-----------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS............................ $(4,658,428)
===========
DISTRIBUTIONS TO PREFERRED SHAREHOLDERS..................... $(1,347,117)
===========
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES FROM
OPERATIONS................................................ $(2,183,161)
===========
</Table>
14 See Notes to Financial Statements
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited)
<Table>
<Caption>
FOR THE FOR THE
SIX MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
APRIL 30, 2008 OCTOBER 31, 2007
------------------------------------
FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES:
Operations:
Net Investment Income................................... $ 3,822,384 $ 7,452,018
Net Realized Gain/Loss.................................. (434,402) 1,192,864
Net Unrealized Depreciation During the Period........... (4,224,026) (7,455,162)
Distributions to Preferred Shareholders:
Net Investment Income................................. (932,134) (2,226,146)
Net Realized Gain..................................... (414,983) (211,105)
------------ ------------
Change in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares from
Operations............................................ (2,183,161) (1,247,531)
Distributions to Common Shareholders:
Net Investment Income................................. (2,494,357) (4,884,310)
Net Realized Gain..................................... (971,326) (526,909)
------------ ------------
NET CHANGE IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES
FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES............................ (5,648,844) (6,658,750)
FROM CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS:
Value of Common Shares Issued Through Dividend
Reinvestment.......................................... 19,187 -0-
Repurchase of Shares.................................... (356,659) (556,669)
------------ ------------
NET CHANGE IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES
FROM CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS............................. (337,472) (556,669)
------------ ------------
TOTAL DECREASE IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON
SHARES................................................ (5,986,316) (7,215,419)
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES:
Beginning of the Period................................. 101,796,079 109,011,498
------------ ------------
End of the Period (Including accumulated undistributed
net investment income of $922,976 and $527,083,
respectively)......................................... $ 95,809,763 $101,796,079
============ ============
</Table>
See Notes to Financial Statements 15
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)
THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE PRESENTS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR ONE COMMON SHARE OF THE
TRUST OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIODS INDICATED.
<Table>
<Caption>
SIX MONTHS
ENDED YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,
APRIL 30, --------------------------------------------------
2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
---------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD................. $ 16.77 $ 17.85 $ 17.63 $ 18.43 $ 17.95 $ 18.01
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net Investment Income................................... 0.63(a) 1.22(a) 1.16(a) 1.18 1.17 1.18
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/Loss................... (0.77) (1.01) 0.45 (0.69) 0.51 0.08
Common Share Equivalent of Distributions Paid to
Preferred Shareholders:
Net Investment Income................................. (0.15) (0.37) (0.33) (0.23) (0.11) (0.10)
Net Realized Gain..................................... (0.07) (0.03) (0.04) (0.01) -0- (0.01)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total from Investment Operations......................... (0.36) (0.19) 1.24 0.25 1.57 1.15
Distributions Paid to Common Shareholders:
Net Investment Income................................. (0.41) (0.80) (0.85) (0.98) (1.09) (1.10)
Net Realized Gain..................................... (0.16) (0.09) (0.17) (0.07) -0- (0.11)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF THE PERIOD....................... $ 15.84 $ 16.77 $ 17.85 $ 17.63 $ 18.43 $ 17.95
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Common Share Market Price at End of the Period........... $ 15.25 $ 15.25 $ 16.44 $ 15.76 $ 17.18 $ 16.91
Total Return* (b)........................................ 3.76%** -2.10% 10.89% -2.30% 8.32% 9.95%
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares at End of the
Period (In millions).................................... $ 95.8 $ 101.8 $ 109.0 $ 107.6 $ 112.5 $ 109.6
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets Applicable to
Common Shares* (c)...................................... 1.38% 1.54% 1.36% 1.27% 1.41% 1.42%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets
Applicable to Common Shares* (c)........................ 7.83% 7.06% 6.62% 6.47% 6.53% 6.55%
Portfolio Turnover....................................... 11%** 20% 30% 13% 14% 10%
* If certain expenses had not been voluntarily assumed by Van Kampen, total return would have been lower and the ratios
would have been as follows:
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets Applicable to
Common Shares (c)..................................... 1.55% 1.69% N/A N/A N/A N/A
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets
Applicable to Common Shares (c)....................... 7.66% 6.92% N/A N/A N/A N/A
SUPPLEMENTAL RATIOS:
Ratio of Expenses (Excluding Interest and Residual Trust
Expenses) to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common
Shares (c).............................................. 1.09% 1.17% 1.36% 1.27% 1.41% 1.42%
Ratio of Expenses (Excluding Interest and Residual Trust
Expenses) to Average Net Assets Applicable including
Preferred Shares (c).................................... 0.66% 0.73% 0.85% 0.80% 0.89% 0.89%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets
Applicable to Common Shares (d)......................... 5.92% 4.95% 4.72% 5.21% 5.89% 6.02%
SENIOR SECURITIES:
Total Preferred Shares Outstanding....................... 2,600 2,600 2,600 2,600 2,600 2,600
Asset Coverage Per Preferred Share (e)................... $61,882 $64,160 $66,932 $66,390 $68,302 $67,151
Involuntary Liquidating Preference Per Preferred Share... $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000
Average Market Value Per Preferred Shares................ $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000
</Table>
** Non-Annualized
N/A=Not Applicable
(a)Based on average shares outstanding.
(b)Total return assumes an investment at the common share market price at the
beginning of the period indicated, reinvestment of all distributions for the
period in accordance with the Trust's dividend reinvestment plan, and sales
of all shares at the closing common share market price at the end of the
period indicated.
(c)Ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to preferred
shareholders.
(d)Ratios reflect the effect of dividend payments to preferred shareholders.
(e)Calculated by subtracting the Trust's total liabilities (not including the
preferred shares) from the Trust's total assets and dividing this by the
number of preferred shares outstanding.
16 See Notes to Financial Statements
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED)
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Van Kampen Trust for Investment Grade New Jersey Municipals (the Trust) is
registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), as amended. The Trust's
investment objective is to seek to provide a high level of current income exempt
from federal income taxes and New Jersey gross income taxes, consistent with
preservation of capital. The Trust will invest substantially all of its assets
in New Jersey municipal securities rated investment grade at the time of
investment. The Trust commenced investment operations on March 27, 1992.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently
followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The
preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
A. SECURITY VALUATION Municipal bonds are valued by independent pricing services
or dealers using the mean of the last reported bid and asked prices or, in the
absence of market quotations, at fair value based upon yield data relating to
municipal bonds with similar characteristics and general market conditions.
Securities which are not valued by independent pricing services or dealers are
valued at fair value using procedures established in good faith by the Board of
Trustees. Futures contracts are valued at the settlement price established each
day on the exchange on which they are traded. Interest rate swaps are valued
using market quotations obtained from brokers. Short-term securities with
remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which
approximates market value.
B. SECURITY TRANSACTIONS Security transactions are recorded on a trade date
basis. Realized gains and losses are determined on an identified cost basis. The
Trust may purchase and sell securities on a "when-issued" or "delayed delivery"
basis, with settlement to occur at a later date. The value of the security so
purchased is subject to market fluctuations during this period. The Trust will
segregate assets with the custodian having an aggregate value at least equal to
the amount of the when-issued or delayed delivery purchase commitments until
payment is made. At April 30, 2008, the Trust had $4,025,000 of when-issued or
delayed delivery purchase commitments.
C. INVESTMENT INCOME Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Bond
premium is amortized and discount is accreted over the expected life of each
applicable security.
D. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES It is the Trust's policy to comply with the requirements
of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its
shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required. The
Fund adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")
Interpretation No. 48 ("FIN 48") Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes on
April 30, 2008. FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement
recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a
tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax
17
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED) continued
benefits in the accompanying financial statements. If applicable, the Trust
recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest
Expense" and penalties in "Other" expenses on the Statement of Operations. The
Trust files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and various
states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four year period ended October
31, 2007, remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.
At April 30, 2008, the cost and related gross unrealized appreciation and
depreciation are as follows:
<Table>
Cost of investments for tax purposes........................ $ 160,223,700
=============
Gross tax unrealized appreciation........................... $ 8,873,453
Gross tax unrealized depreciation........................... (5,936,742)
-------------
Net tax unrealized appreciation on investments.............. $ 2,936,711
=============
</Table>
E. DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME AND GAINS The Trust declares and pays monthly
dividends from net investment income to common shareholders. Net realized gains,
if any, are distributed at least annually on a pro rata basis to common and
preferred shareholders. Distributions from net realized gains for book purposes
may include short-term capital gains and gains on futures transactions. All
short-term capital gains and a portion of future gains are included as ordinary
income for tax purposes.
The tax character of distributions paid during the year ended October 31,
2007 was as follows:
<Table>
Distributions paid from:
Ordinary income........................................... $ -0-
Tax-exempt income......................................... 7,105,808
Long-term capital gain.................................... 738,015
-------------
$ 7,843,823
=============
</Table>
As of October 31, 2007, the components of distributable earnings on a tax
basis were as follows:
<Table>
Undistributed ordinary income............................... $ 667,057
Undistributed tax-exempt income............................. 659,031
Undistributed long-term capital gain........................ 719,817
</Table>
Net realized gains or losses may differ for financial reporting and tax
purposes as a result of gains or losses recognized for tax purposes but not for
book.
F. FLOATING RATE NOTE OBLIGATIONS RELATED TO SECURITIES HELD The Trust enters
into transactions in which it transfers to dealer trusts fixed rate bonds in
exchange for cash and residual interests in the dealer trusts' assets and cash
flows, which are in the form of inverse floating rate investments. The dealer
trusts fund the purchases of the fixed rate bonds by issuing floating rate notes
to third parties and allowing the Trust to retain residual interests in the
bonds. The Trust enters into shortfall agreements with the dealer trusts, which
commit the Trust to pay the dealer trusts, in certain circumstances, the
difference between the liquidation value of the fixed rate bonds held by the
dealer trusts and the liquidation value of
18
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED) continued
the floating rate notes held by third parties, as well as any shortfalls in
interest cash flows. The residual interests held by the Trust (inverse floating
rate investments) include the right of the Trust (1) to cause the holders of the
floating rate notes to tender their notes at par at the next interest rate reset
date, and (2) to transfer the municipal bond from the dealer trusts to the
Trust, thereby collapsing the dealer trusts. The Trust accounts for the transfer
of bonds to the dealer trusts as secured borrowings, with the securities
transferred remaining in the Trust's investment assets, and the related floating
rate notes reflected as Trust liabilities under the caption "Floating Rate Note
Obligations" on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Trust records the
interest income from the fixed rate bonds under the caption "Interest" and
records the expenses related to floating rate note obligations and any
administrative expenses of the dealer trusts under the caption "Interest and
Residual Trust Expenses" on the Trust's Statement of Operations. The notes
issued by the dealer trusts have interest rates that reset weekly and the
floating rate note holders have the option to tender their notes to the dealer
trusts for redemption at par at each reset date. At April 30, 2008, Trust
investments with a value of $9,877,126 are held by the dealer trusts and serve
as collateral for the $7,125,000 in floating rate notes outstanding at that
date. Contractual maturities of the floating rate notes and interest rates in
effect at April 30, 2008 are presented on the Portfolio of Investments. The
average floating rate notes outstanding and average annual interest and fee rate
related to residual interest during the six months ended April 30, 2008 were
$8,196,429 and 3.49%, respectively.
2. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Under the terms of the Trust's Investment Advisory Agreement, Van Kampen Asset
Management (the "Adviser") provides investment advice and facilities to the
Trust for an annual fee payable monthly of .55% of the average daily net assets
including preferred shares of the Trust. The Adviser has agreed to waive
investment advisory fees equal to 0.10% of the average daily net assets
including preferred shares of the Trust. During the six months ended April 30,
2008, the Adviser waived $81,147 of its advisory fees. This waiver is voluntary
and can be discontinued at any time.
For the six months ended April 30, 2008, the Trust recognized expenses of
approximately $4,600 representing legal services provided by Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, of which a trustee of the Trust is a partner of such
firm and he and his law firm provide legal services as legal counsel to the
Trust.
Under separate Legal Services, Accounting Services and Chief Compliance
Officer (CCO) Employment agreements, the Adviser provides accounting and legal
services and the CCO provides compliance services to the Trust. The costs of
these services are allocated to each trust. For the six months ended April 30,
2008, the Trust recognized expenses of approximately $20,800 representing Van
Kampen Investments Inc.'s or its affiliates' (collectively "Van Kampen") cost of
providing accounting and legal services to the Trust, as well as the salary,
benefits and related costs of the CCO and related support staff paid by Van
Kampen. Services provided pursuant to the Legal Services agreement are reported
as part of "Professional Fees" on the Statement of Operations. Services provided
pursuant to the Accounting Services and CCO Employment agreement are reported as
part of "Accounting and Administrative Expenses" on the Statement of Operations.
Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers and directors
of Van Kampen. The Trust does not compensate its officers or trustees who are
also officers of Van Kampen.
19
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED) continued
The Trust provides deferred compensation and retirement plans for its
trustees who are not officers of Van Kampen. Under the deferred compensation
plan, trustees may elect to defer all or a portion of their compensation to a
later date. Benefits under the retirement plan are payable upon retirement for a
ten-year period and are based upon each trustee's years of service to the Trust.
The maximum annual benefit per trustee under the plan is $2,500.
3. CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
For the six months ended April 30, 2008 and the year ended October 31, 2007,
transactions in common shares were as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
SIX MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
APRIL 30, 2008 OCTOBER 31, 2007
Beginning Shares........................................ 6,070,495 6,105,556
Shares Issued Through Dividend Reinvestment............. 1,283 -0-
Shares Repurchased*..................................... (23,575) (35,061)
--------- ---------
Ending Shares........................................... 6,048,203 6,070,495
========= =========
</Table>
* On February 28, 2007, the Trust commenced a share repurchase program for
purposes of enhancing stockholder value and reducing the discount at which
the Trust's shares trade from their net asset value. For the six months ended
April 30, 2008 and the year ended October 31, 2007, the Trust repurchased
23,575 and 35,061, respectively of its shares at an average discount of 8.02%
and 6.54%, respectively from net asset value per share. The Trust expects to
continue to repurchase its outstanding shares at such time and in such
amounts as it believes such activity will further the accomplishment of the
foregoing objectives, subject to review of the Trustees.
4. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
During the period, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments,
excluding short-term investments, were $18,456,620 and $27,684,911,
respectively.
5. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
A derivative financial instrument in very general terms refers to a security
whose value is "derived" from the value of an underlying asset, reference rate
or index.
In order to seek to manage the interest rate exposure of the Trust's
portfolio in a changing interest rate environment, the Trust may purchase or
sell financial futures contracts or engage in transactions involving interest
rate swaps, caps, floors or collars. The Trust expects to enter into these
transactions primarily as a hedge against anticipated interest rate or
fixed-income market changes, for duration management or for risk management
purposes, but may also enter into these transactions to generate additional
income. All of the Trust's portfolio holdings, including derivative instruments,
are marked to market each day with the change in value reflected in the
unrealized appreciation/depreciation. Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss
is recognized accordingly, except when taking delivery of a security underlying
a futures contract. In this instance, the recognition of gain or loss is
postponed until the disposal of the security underlying the futures contract.
20
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED) continued
Summarized below are the specific types of derivative financial instruments
used by the Trust.
A. INVERSE FLOATING RATE INVESTMENTS The Trust may invest a portion of its
assets in inverse floating rate instruments, either through outright purchases
of inverse floating rate securities or through the transfer of bonds to a dealer
trust in exchange for cash and residual interests in the dealer trust. These
investments are typically used by the Trust in seeking to enhance the yield of
the portfolio. These instruments typically involve greater risks than a fixed
rate municipal bond. In particular, these instruments are acquired through
leverage or may have leverage embedded in them and therefore involve many of the
risks associated with leverage. Leverage is a speculative technique that may
expose the Trust to greater risk and increased costs. Leverage may cause the
Trust's net asset value to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged
because leverage tends to magnify the effect of any increases or decreases in
the value of the Trust's portfolio securities. The use of leverage may also
cause the Trust to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous
to do so in order to satisfy its obligations with respect to inverse floating
rate instruments.
6. PREFERRED SHARES
The Trust has outstanding 2,600 Auction Preferred Shares (APS). Dividends are
cumulative and the dividend rate is reset through an auction process every 28
days. Beginning on February 15, 2008 and continuing through April 30, 2008, all
series of preferred shares of the Trust were not successfully remarketed. As a
result, the dividend rates of these preferred shares were reset to the maximum
applicable rate on APS. The rate in effect on April 30, 2008 was 2.779%. During
the six months ended April 30, 2008 the rates ranged from 2.779% to 6.000%.
The Trust pays annual fees equivalent to .25% of the preferred share
liquidation value for the remarketing efforts associated with the preferred
auctions. These fees are included as a component of "Preferred Share
Maintenance" expense on the Statement of Operations.
The APS are redeemable at the option of the Trust in whole or in part at the
liquidation value of $25,000 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends.
The Trust is subject to certain asset coverage tests and the APS are subject to
mandatory redemption if the tests are not met.
7. INDEMNIFICATIONS
The Trust enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The
Trust's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Trust
has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the
risk of loss to be remote.
8. ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair
Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years
beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a
framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value
measurements. As of April 30, 2008, the Adviser does not believe the adoption of
SFAS 157 will impact the amounts reported in the financial statements, however,
additional disclosures will be required about the inputs used to
21
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2008 (UNAUDITED) continued
develop the measurements of fair value and the effect of certain measurements
reported on the Statement of Operations for a fiscal period.
On March 19, 2008, Financial Accounting Standards Board released Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 161). SFAS 161 requires qualitative
disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative
disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative
instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in
derivative agreements. The application of SFAS 161 is required for fiscal years
and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. At this time, management
is evaluating the implications of SFAS 161 and its impact on the financial
statements has not yet been determined.
9. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On June 13, 2008, the Trust announced plans for the partial redemption of its
preferred shares. On July 2, 2008, the Trust intends to redeem 20% of its
preferred shares. The Board of Trustees previously approved the use of tender
option bonds as a replacement source of funding. The Depository Trust Company,
the securities' holder of record, will determine how the partial redemption will
be allocated among each participant broker-dealer account.
22
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES, OFFICERS AND IMPORTANT ADDRESSES
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
DAVID C. ARCH
JERRY D. CHOATE
ROD DAMMEYER
LINDA HUTTON HEAGY
R. CRAIG KENNEDY
HOWARD J KERR
JACK E. NELSON
HUGO F. SONNENSCHEIN
WAYNE W. WHALEN* - Chairman
SUZANNE H. WOOLSEY
OFFICERS
JERRY W. MILLER
President and Principal Executive Officer
DENNIS SHEA
Vice President
KEVIN KLINGERT
Vice President
AMY R. DOBERMAN
Vice President
STEFANIE V. CHANG
Vice President and Secretary
JOHN L. SULLIVAN
Chief Compliance Officer
STUART N. SCHULDT
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
INVESTMENT ADVISER
VAN KAMPEN ASSET MANAGEMENT
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036
CUSTODIAN
STATE STREET BANK
AND TRUST COMPANY
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
TRANSFER AGENT
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
c/o Computershare Investor Services
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3078
LEGAL COUNSEL
SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE,
MEAGHER & FLOM LLP
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
111 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606-4301
* "Interested persons" of the Trust, as defined in the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended.
23
Van Kampen Trust for Investment Grade
New Jersey Municipals
An Important Notice Concerning Our U.S. Privacy Policy
We are required by federal law to provide you with a copy of our Privacy
Policy annually.
The following Policy applies to current and former individual clients of Van
Kampen Investments Inc., Van Kampen Asset Management, Van Kampen Advisors
Inc., Van Kampen Funds Inc., Van Kampen Investor Services Inc. and Van
Kampen Exchange Corp., as well as current and former individual investors in
Van Kampen mutual funds, unit investment trusts, and related companies.
This Policy is not applicable to partnerships, corporations, trusts or other
non-individual clients or account holders, nor is this Policy applicable to
individuals who are either beneficiaries of a trust for which we serve as
trustee or participants in an employee benefit plan administered or advised
by us. This Policy is, however, applicable to individuals who select us to
be a custodian of securities or assets in individual retirement accounts,
401(k) accounts, 529 Educational Savings Accounts, accounts subject to the
Uniform Gifts to Minors Act, or similar accounts.
Please note that we may amend this Policy at any time, and will inform you
of any changes to this Policy as required by law.
WE RESPECT YOUR PRIVACY
We appreciate that you have provided us with your personal financial
information. We strive to maintain the privacy of such information while we
help you achieve your financial objectives. This Policy describes what
non-public personal information we collect about you, why we collect it, and
when we may share it with others.
We hope this Policy will help you understand how we collect and share
non-public personal information that we gather about you. Throughout this
Policy, we refer to the non-public information that personally identifies
you or your accounts as "personal information."
1. WHAT PERSONAL INFORMATION DO WE COLLECT ABOUT YOU?
To serve you better and manage our business, it is important that we collect
and maintain accurate information about you. We may obtain this information
from applications and other forms you submit to us, from your dealings with
us, from consumer reporting agencies, from our Web sites and from third
parties and other sources.
(continued on next page)
Van Kampen Trust for Investment Grade
New Jersey Municipals
An Important Notice Concerning Our U.S. Privacy Policy continued
For example:
-- We may collect information such as your name, address, e-mail address,
telephone/fax numbers, assets, income and investment objectives through
applications and other forms you submit to us.
-- We may obtain information about account balances, your use of
account(s) and the types of products and services you prefer to receive
from us through your dealings and transactions with us and other
sources.
-- We may obtain information about your creditworthiness and credit
history from consumer reporting agencies.
-- We may collect background information from and through third-party
vendors to verify representations you have made and to comply with
various regulatory requirements.
-- If you interact with us through our public and private Web sites, we
may collect information that you provide directly through online
communications (such as an e-mail address). We may also collect
information about your Internet service provider, your domain name,
your computer's operating system and Web browser, your use of our Web
sites and your product and service preferences, through the use of
"cookies." "Cookies" recognize your computer each time you return to
one of our sites, and help to improve our sites' content and
personalize your experience on our sites by, for example, suggesting
offerings that may interest you. Please consult the Terms of Use of
these sites for more details on our use of cookies.
2. WHEN DO WE DISCLOSE PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT ABOUT YOU?
To provide you with the products and services you request, to serve you
better and to manage our business, we may disclose personal information we
collect about you to our affiliated companies and to non-affiliated third
parties as required or permitted by law.
A. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE TO OUR AFFILIATED COMPANIES. We do not disclose
personal information that we collect about you to our affiliated companies
except to enable them to provide services on our behalf or as otherwise
required or permitted by law.
(continued on back)
Van Kampen Trust for Investment Grade
New Jersey Municipals
An Important Notice Concerning Our U.S. Privacy Policy continued
B. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE TO THIRD PARTIES. We do not disclose personal
information that we collect about you to non-affiliated third parties except
to enable them to provide services on our behalf, to perform joint marketing
agreements with other financial institutions, or as otherwise required or
permitted by law. For example, some instances where we may disclose
information about you to non-affiliated third parties include: for servicing
and processing transactions, to offer our own products and services, to
protect against fraud, for institutional risk control, to respond to
judicial process or to perform services on our behalf. When we share
personal information with these companies, they are required to limit their
use of personal information to the particular purpose for which it was
shared and they are not allowed to share personal information with others
except to fulfill that limited purpose.
3. HOW DO WE PROTECT THE SECURITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF PERSONAL
INFORMATION WE COLLECT ABOUT YOU?
We maintain physical, electronic and procedural security measures to help
safeguard the personal information we collect about you. We have internal
policies governing the proper handling of client information. Third parties
that provide support or marketing services on our behalf may also receive
personal information, and we require them to adhere to confidentiality
standards with respect to such information.
Van Kampen Funds Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036
www.vankampen.com
Copyright (C)2008 Van Kampen Funds Inc.
All rights reserved. Member FINRA/SIPC.
VTJSAN 6/08
(VAN KAMPEN INVESTMENTS LOGO) IU08-03234P-Y04/08
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 6. Schedule of Investments.
Please refer to Item #1.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End
Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment
Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Not applicable.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures
(a) The Trust's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have
concluded that the Trust's disclosure controls and procedures are sufficient to
ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in this Form
N-CSRS was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods
specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, based
upon such officers' evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date
within 90 days of the filing date of the report.
(b) There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered
by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Exhibits.
(1) Code of Ethics -- Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
(2)(a) A certification for the Principal Executive Officer of the registrant is
attached hereto as part of EX-99.CERT.
(2)(b) A certification for the Principal Financial Officer of the registrant is
attached hereto as part of EX-99.CERT.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant) Van Kampen Trust For Investment Grade New Jersey Municipals
By: /s/ Jerry W. Miller
---------------------
Name: Jerry W. Miller
Title: Principal Executive Officer
Date: June 19, 2008
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed by the following
persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
By: /s/ Jerry W. Miller
---------------------
Name: Jerry W. Miller
Title: Principal Executive Officer
Date: June 19, 2008
By: /s/ Stuart N. Schuldt
---------------------
Name: Stuart N. Schuldt
Title: Principal Financial Officer
Date: June 19, 2008