SB340 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dick Brewbaker

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Tuition assistance for National Guard members, available to members enrolled public, accredited private, or parnership formed between and among public and accredited private institutions of higher education. Sections 31-10-3, 31-10-21, 31-10-25 amended

Summary

SB340 broadens and clarifies national guard tuition and educational benefits to include public, private, and partnership higher education institutions in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

Expands tuition assistance eligibility to National Guard members whether they attend public colleges, private accredited colleges, or partnerships between public and private institutions. Expands supplemental educational benefits to cover members enrolled in public or private community or junior colleges, public or private higher education institutions, or partnerships among these institutions. Keeps the existing program framework and funding rules, with administration and oversight continuing under the Alabama Commission on Higher Education and the Alabama National Guard, and benefits still subject to legislative appropriations.

Who It Affects

• Alabama National Guard members seeking higher education, who gain more options for where they can receive tuition assistance and supplements.
• Public and private colleges and community/junior colleges in Alabama that enroll National Guard members and coordinate benefits with ACHE and the Guard.
• Administrators at the Alabama Commission on Higher Education and the Alabama National Guard (State Education Services Office) who manage eligibility, enrollment, and distribution of benefits.

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 31-10-3, 31-10-21, and 31-10-25 to explicitly allow tuition assistance at public or private accredited institutions and at partnerships among them.
• Extends supplemental educational benefits to students at public/private community or junior colleges, public/private higher education institutions, or partnerships among these institutions.
• Maintains existing requirements such as FAFSA, cap limits, age/residency rules, and funding limitations tied to legislative appropriations, with ACHE as fiscal agent and the Guard office handling eligibility.
• Requires enrolling institutions to inform Guard members about all applicable benefits (e.g., GI Bill, VA benefits, other grants) and to help them use available benefits.

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

Subjects

National Guard