SB315 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald O. Dial

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

National Guard members and veterans, qualifications and rates for tuition reimbursement revised, Secs. 31-6-4, 31-6-5, 31-6-6, 31-6-9, 31-6-11, 31-6-15, 31-10-2, 31-10-3, 31-10-4, 31-10-21, 31-10-22 am'd.

Summary

SB315 updates Alabama’s education benefits for National Guard members, veterans, and their dependents by setting tuition caps, expanding eligibility, and adding reporting requirements.

What This Bill Does

Creates a National Guard tuition reimbursement program for Alabama Guard members in good standing, funded by annual appropriations (up to $10 million) and administered through the Alabama Commission on Higher Education; benefits cover in-state public college tuition and books, with payments tied to term completion and after other federal aid, and subject to a DoD tuition cap and a per-semester/books limit. Requires recipients to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and a minimum 2.0 GPA, limits benefits to a total of 120 hours (or until first degree), and imposes a 12-year lifetime limit on eligibility with specific rules for graduate study. Expands educational benefits for dependents of veterans, including eligibility rules, residency requirements, and caps on tuition and books/fees (tuition capped at in-state rates, books/fees up to $1,000 per semester, and use of DoD cap where applicable), with time limits (e.g., five standard academic years/45 months for children; up to 27 months for spouses/eligible dependents) and conditions on remarriage, reinstatement of benefits, and addition to federal benefits. Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education to apply other available resources first (federal or state aid) and to report annually to the Legislature on program usage and costs.

Who It Affects

• Active members of the Alabama National Guard in good standing who pursue higher education at Alabama public colleges or universities; they would receive tuition and books/fees reimbursements, must meet GPA and attendance requirements, and are subject to caps and repayment rules if they fail to maintain eligibility.
• Dependents of veterans (including spouses, widows/widowers, and children) who qualify under the veterans education benefit provisions; they would be eligible for reduced tuition and books/fees under defined time limits, residency rules, and academic progress standards, with limitations designed to coordinate with other federal and state aid.

Key Provisions

• National Guard tuition reimbursement program: funded by Education Trust Fund up to $10,000,000 annually; payments made at end of each term; available for active Guard members in good standing; must be Alabama residents; can be used for undergraduate and graduate studies at Alabama public institutions; the tuition portion cannot exceed the average in-state tuition for Alabama four-year public institutions; books/fees reimbursement capped at $1,000 per semester; total benefits not to exceed $2,000 per year; use of DoD Tuition Assistance Cap for the tuition portion; eligibility requires FAFSA and maintenance of SAP with a 2.0 GPA; up to 120 academic hours or until first degree; 12-year lifetime limit; graduate degrees capped at 10% of funds.
• Administration and eligibility rules: Alabama Commission on Higher Education administers the program with guidance from the Adjutant General; institutions must notify students about other benefits (G.I. Bill, federal aid, etc.); nonresident tuition cannot be charged to eligible Guard members; benefits are contingent on ongoing military service, good standing, and completion of required training; penalties include termination of benefits and repayment obligations if conditions are violated.
• Dependents of veterans benefits (sections covering 31-6-4, 31-6-5, 31-6-6, etc.): for certain disabled or deceased veterans and their spouses/children, tuition and books/fees may be waived or reimbursed for specified periods (e.g., up to five standard academic years or 45 months; specific durations and eligibility vary by category); one change of program is allowed; training must begin before age limits and be completed within set years; benefits are in addition to federal benefits and subject to residency and other eligibility criteria; benefits may be reinstated or extended under specified conditions.
• Residency and eligibility criteria: requirements to prove Alabama residency for veterans and dependents include permanent residency status, tax return history, or other qualifying ties; some residency documentation may be exempt from confidentiality provisions to verify eligibility; a veteran or dependent must be a current Alabama resident to receive state benefits.
• Academic and financial aid conditions: dependents must apply for federal financial aid (FAFSA) and meet SAP standards; benefits are coordinated with other aid and may be reduced or denied if the student would not be eligible for Title IV aid due to SAP or other restrictions; consent for release of information is required for eligibility determinations.
• Reporting and effective date: the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education must submit annual reports to the Legislature detailing applicants, eligible students, years of eligibility remaining, and program costs; the act becomes effective after a specified period following passage.

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

Subjects

Veterans