SB209 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Nursing scholarships, qualifications altered, funding increased, appropriation, Secs. 34-21-60, 34-21-61, 34-21-62, 34-21-63 am'd.

Summary

SB209 would raise and restructure Alabama's graduate nursing scholarships by increasing the award, tying funding to enrollment, expanding eligibility, and directing funding through the Education Trust Fund.

What This Bill Does

It increases the maximum scholarship to up to $10,000 per year and makes the total awards equal to 5% of graduate nursing program enrollment in Alabama. It adds eligibility requirements (Alabama residency, active Alabama nursing license, admission to an Alabama graduate nursing program, and a two-year practice commitment in Alabama after graduation) and gives priority to applicants pursuing nursing education. It directs funding through the Education Trust Fund and outlines renewal and repayment rules, with appropriate allowances for death or disability.

Who It Affects

• Alabama residents who are licensed nurses and are pursuing or planning to pursue graduate nursing degrees in Alabama; they would be eligible for larger scholarships and must commit to practicing in Alabama for two years after graduation.
• Nursing educators and those pursuing nursing education careers in Alabama; the bill provides preference to these applicants to help grow nurse educators in the state.

Key Provisions

• Scholarships for post-baccalaureate nursing education will be available, with the number of scholarships equal to 5% of total enrollment in Alabama graduate nursing programs, and each scholarship capped at $10,000 per year.
• Eligibility requires: 1) Alabama residency for at least one year, 2) good character, 3) active Alabama professional nursing license, 4) matriculation in an Alabama graduate nursing program (BSN required), and 5) agreement to practice nursing in Alabama for two years after completing the graduate degree; preference is given to applicants pursuing nursing education.
• Scholarships may be awarded for master's or doctorate degrees in nursing (doctorates in education are acceptable if the applicant has a nursing graduate degree).
• Funding and administration: five percent of the total appropriation is allocated to the Alabama Board of Nursing to administer the scholarships; funding is provided through the Education Trust Fund.
• Renewal and obligations: each scholarship is available subject to ongoing legislative funding; if a recipient does not complete the program, they must repay the disbursed funds; death or disability can cancel the repayment obligation.

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

Subjects

Nurses and Nursing