SB44 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

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

Summary

SB44 creates and funds graduate nursing scholarships in Alabama, increases scholarship amounts, adds eligibility requirements, and directs funding through the Education Trust Fund.

What This Bill Does

It establishes graduate nursing scholarships for the 2012 fiscal year, distributed statewide and equal to 5% of total enrollment in Alabama graduate nursing programs, with a cap of $10,000 per year per scholar. Eligible applicants must be Alabama residents, of good character, licensed nurses, and admitted to an Alabama graduate nursing program, and they must agree to practice or teach nursing in Alabama for at least two years after graduation (with possible waivers for extenuating circumstances). Preference goes to applicants pursuing nursing education, and scholarships are available for master’s or doctoral programs in nursing (doctorates in education are allowed if the applicant has a nursing graduate degree). The Alabama Board of Nursing administers the program and receives 5% of the appropriation to manage it, with funding possibly through the Education Trust Fund; renewals depend on future funding, and there are repayment and cancellation provisions if the recipient does not complete the program, dies, or becomes disabled.

Who It Affects

• Alabama residents pursuing graduate education in nursing (master's or doctoral) would be eligible for scholarships, up to $10,000 per year, based on 5% of total graduate nursing enrollment.
• Licensed Alabama nurses who plan to practice or become nursing instructors in Alabama after graduation (and the Alabama Board of Nursing as the administrator, with funding routed through the Education Trust Fund).

Key Provisions

• Establishes graduate nursing scholarships for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012; scholarships equal 5% of total enrollment in Alabama graduate nursing programs; each scholarship capped at $10,000 per year.
• Eligibility includes: Alabama residency for at least one year, good character, active Alabama nursing license, acceptance into an Alabama graduate program, and a two-year in-state practice or teaching commitment after graduation (with waivers available for extenuating circumstances).
• Preference given to applicants pursuing nursing education; eligible degrees include master's or doctorate in nursing (doctorate in education allowed if the applicant already has a nursing graduate degree).
• Applications submitted to the Alabama Board of Nursing; Board to receive 5% of the total appropriation to administer the scholarships.
• Scholarships payable from funds appropriated to the Board of Nursing; renewal contingent on future legislative funding (may renew for the same student or award to a new applicant).
• Selection criteria and geographic distribution to be established by the Board of Nursing.
• If a recipient does not complete the graduate program, they must repay the scholarship funds; death or disability can cancel remaining repayment obligations.
• Appropriation for the program may be made through the Education Trust Fund to the Alabama Board of Nursing for each fiscal year.
• Effective date: immediately following passage and approval.

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