SB133 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Quinton Ross

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Alabama Student Grant Program, approved institution of higher learning, requirement to be nonprofit and seeking accreditation by Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools removed, Sec. 16-33A-1 am'd.

Summary

SB133 would broaden which colleges qualify for the Alabama Student Grant Program by dropping nonprofit and accreditation-seeking requirements and allowing credit transfers to help qualify.

What This Bill Does

The bill would remove the nonprofit requirement for an 'Approved Institution' under the Alabama Student Grant Program and would stop requiring institutions to be actively seeking accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It would also create a path where the acceptance of credits by other institutions could count toward an institution's approved status. The act would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Independent postsecondary institutions in Alabama could qualify for the Alabama Student Grant Program without the nonprofit or active accreditation-seeking restrictions, potentially expanding who can participate.
• Alabama residents who enroll in these newly eligible or expanded-eligibility institutions could become eligible for Alabama Student Grants if they meet other program requirements (resident status, enrollment, program duration, etc.).

Key Provisions

• Removes nonprofit requirement from the definition of Approved Institution under the Alabama Student Grant Program.
• Eliminates the requirement that an Approved Institution must be formally seeking accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
• Provides a pathway where acceptance of credits by other institutions can be sufficient to constitute Approved Institution status (subject to transitional rules).
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.
• Approved institutions must meet existing standards such as secular curriculum and nondiscriminatory admissions (as part of the definition).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education