SB157 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dick Brewbaker

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Foster care, Dept. of Human Resources to develop and administer, scholarship program for foster children, eligibility, job training courses, scholarship benefits limited, Fostering Hope Scholarship Act, Sec. 40-18-362 repealed

Summary

SB157 creates the Fostering Hope Scholarship Act to provide tuition, fees, or job training funding for Alabama foster youth through the Department of Human Resources, with a mentoring support system and changes to the prior foster-education program.

What This Bill Does

The Department of Human Resources will develop and administer the Fostering Hope scholarship program for designated foster youth, including those adopted from foster care at age 14 or older. Starting in the 2016-2017 academic year, participants can have tuition and required fees paid at public two-year or four-year colleges, or have required fees paid for approved public job training courses or certifications, limited to undergraduate study. The program includes a mentor service to help participants adapt to college life and academics, with mentors compensated by the department. Annual funding is limited by appropriations, with caps on hours (72 undergraduate hours for an associate degree, 144 for a bachelor’s), FAFSA requirements, and other eligibility criteria; funds are paid before other aid, and the department may limit applications and adjust carries-over funds if necessary.

Who It Affects

• Current or former foster youth in Alabama (including those adopted at age 14 or older) who meet eligibility requirements (custody status, age limits, asset limits, enrollment in eligible programs, progress standards, and FAFSA filing).
• The Alabama Department of Human Resources and participating public colleges/universities or publicly funded training programs, which will administer, fund, and oversee the scholarship and mentor program, and set rules and limitations.

Key Provisions

• The Department of Human Resources must develop and administer the Fostering Hope Scholarship, providing tuition/fees or job training costs for designated foster youth beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year.
• A mentor service is required, with the department paying mentors to support participants’ independence and academics.
• Scholarship funds come from state appropriations, with the department allowed to spend up to 10% of funds on mentor costs; unspent funds may carry over to the next year; the department can limit applications and awards to match funding.
• Eligibility includes: being in foster care or adopted at age 14+ and graduates of high school or GED; asset limit of $30,000 (adjusted for inflation); under 26 at start of the program; enrollment in approved undergraduate programs; progress toward degree; FAFSA submitted annually; and a first-year requirement to complete annual service or employment obligations.
• Scholarships cover undergraduate tuition and fees but not more than 72 hours for an associate degree or 144 hours for a bachelor’s degree; funds are applied before other federal or private aid; if eligible for other aid sufficient to cover costs, the student may not participate.
• The act repeals the previous postsecondary education assistance provision (Section 40-18-362) and replaces it with the Fostering Hope program.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education