HB245 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Marcel Black

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Alabama Student Grant Program, approved institution of higher learning, requirement to be seeking accreditation by Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools removed, institution in Montgomery Co. added to program, Sec. 16-33A-1 am'd. (2010-20460)

Summary

HB245 broadens who can participate in the Alabama Student Grant Program by relaxing nonprofit/accreditation rules and adding a Montgomery County institution to the list of eligible providers.

What This Bill Does

It removes the requirement that an approved institution be nonprofit and stops requiring that it be actively seeking accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It adds a qualifying Montgomery County institution to participate in the program. It defines a broader set of criteria for approved institutions, including accreditation, being in the formal process of accreditation, credits accepted by multiple SACS-accredited institutions, or meeting specific long-standing, secular, nonsectarian criteria for a Montgomery County-based institution. It also states that an approved institution cannot be considered if it receives direct state funding in the relevant fiscal year, and it clarifies that credit transfer acceptance can qualify an institution for approval.

Who It Affects

• Eligible Alabama students: may have more options for where they can use Alabama Student Grant Program funds, including the newly added Montgomery County institution.
• Institutions in Alabama: may qualify as approved institutions under expanded criteria (accredited, in accreditation process, or other transfer-credit criteria), with a special provision for a Montgomery County institution; those that receive direct state appropriations would not be deemed approved in the same fiscal year.

Key Provisions

• Removes the nonprofit requirement for approved institutions and removes the need to be formally seeking SACS accreditation.
• Adds a Montgomery County, Alabama, institution with certain historic and accreditation characteristics to participate as an approved institution.
• Expands the definition of Approved Institution to include: (a) SACS-accredited or in formal accreditation process; (b) credits accepted by at least three SACS-accredited institutions; or (c) a long‑standing Montgomery County institution meeting secular, nonsectarian and non-discriminatory criteria and other specified conditions.
• Requires approved institutions to meet secular educational functions and not primarily offer theologian or religious training.
• Prohibits an institution from being considered approved during any fiscal year in which it receives direct state appropriation.
• Clarifies that acceptance of credits by other institutions can be used to establish approved status.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education