SB287 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Del Marsh

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Veterans' Affairs, State Department of, college scholarships for dependants of veterans, benefits available only during certain periods of service, exception for education program commenced by certain date, Sec. 31-6-11 am'd.

Summary

SB287 would expand college scholarship benefits for dependents of veterans to cover dependents of any veteran for programs started before July 1, 2012, even if the veteran’s service wasn’t wartime or extrahazardous.

What This Bill Does

The bill broadens eligibility so that dependents (wife, widow, or child) of any veteran can receive postsecondary scholarship benefits for any educational program begun before July 1, 2012. It amends Section 31-6-11 to allow this exception while keeping existing rules about residency, identification, and discharge status. The program remains subject to the Department of Veterans' Affairs’ verification of wartime or extrahazardous service, except for the pre-July 1, 2012 programs, which can be funded based on any service. The change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Who It Affects

• Wives, widows, and children of veterans who began a postsecondary program before July 1, 2012 and would receive benefits based on any veteran service (not limited to wartime/extrahazardous periods).
• Other Alabama veterans and their families applying for these scholarships, who must still meet residency, identity, and service-discharge requirements; the bill adds an expanded eligibility path for programs started before July 1, 2012.

Key Provisions

• Extends scholarship eligibility to dependents of any veteran for any educational program commenced prior to July 1, 2012, based on any service of the veteran (not limited to wartime/extrahazardous periods).
• Amends Section 31-6-11 to maintain existing eligibility rules (residency, identification, discharge status) for veterans and dependents, while applying the pre-7/1/2012 exception to appropriate programs.
• The pre-7/1/2012 program exception applies only to scholarships for programs started before that date; programs started afterward remain subject to current wartime/extrahazardous service requirements.
• Effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.

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

Subjects

Veterans' Affairs, State Department of