SB290 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 seeking accreditation by Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools removed, institution in Montgomery County meeting certain conditions added to program, Sec. 16-33A-1 am'd. (2010-20494)

Summary

SB290 changes who can participate in the Alabama Student Grant Program by removing the need for institutions to be actively seeking SACS accreditation and adding a Montgomery County institution to participate.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows more types of institutions to become approved for the grant program by replacing the requirement that they be seeking SACS accreditation with alternate qualifying paths. It adds a Montgomery County institution as eligible to participate, under specific long-standing and secular criteria. It also maintains that approved institutions cannot receive direct state funding in the same fiscal year they are approved, and it preserves existing or future state appropriations to independent colleges.

Who It Affects

• Alabama resident undergraduate or eligible students who could receive grants at a broader set of approved institutions.
• Independent nonprofit postsecondary institutions in Alabama (including those in Montgomery County) that may qualify as Approved Institutions and participate in the Alabama Student Grant Program.

Key Provisions

• Removes the requirement that an approved institution must be actively seeking accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
• Creates alternative paths for an institution to be deemed Approved Institution, including: (a) being accredited by SACS; (b) having credits accepted by at least three other SACS-accredited institutions; or (c) being an independent postsecondary institution with a permanent Montgomery County facility, operating 50+ years, accredited by SACS for 10+ years, with a secular curriculum and nondiscriminatory admissions.
• Adds a Montgomery County institution meeting the above criteria as eligible to participate in the Alabama Student Grant Program.
• Specifies that no institution can be considered approved in any fiscal year in which it receives a direct state appropriation.
• States that the act does not limit or diminish any direct state appropriation to independent higher education institutions already receiving funding.

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