HB96 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack Williams

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Higher education, tuition to two-year colleges to graduates with bachelor's degrees from state colleges and universities, granted in certain circumstances

Summary

HB96 would provide tuition-free access to Alabama two-year colleges for certain graduates with a state bachelor’s degree who can’t find meaningful employment within a year, to earn an associate degree or technical certificate.

What This Bill Does

Eligible graduates could attend a two-year public college in the state without paying tuition to earn an associate degree or technical certificate. A qualifying graduate is someone who earned a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a four-year public state institution and has a scholarship to attend that institution. The Commission on Higher Education would adopt rules to implement the program, including standards for who qualifies. The measure would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Qualifying graduates: individuals who earned a bachelor’s degree from a state public university, who have a scholarship to attend that university, and who cannot find meaningful employment within one year of graduation; they would receive tuition-free access to a two-year public college to pursue an associate degree or technical certificate.
• Two-year public colleges and the state higher education system: would implement and provide the tuition-free option to eligible graduates, potentially affecting enrollment and funding.

Key Provisions

• Defines a 'qualifying graduate' as someone who has earned a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a four-year public state institution and who has a scholarship to attend that institution.
• Entitles a qualifying graduate who cannot obtain meaningful employment within one year of graduation to attend a two-year public higher education institution in the state tuition-free to earn an associate degree or technical certificate.
• The Commission on Higher Education shall adopt rules to implement this section, including standards for determining who qualifies for relief.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and governor approval.

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

Subjects

Higher Education