SB83 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Tom Butler

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Higher education, public institutions, provides resident student status to minor children of military service members stationed in Ala., provides that resident student status is valid even if the parent is reassigned out of state, so long as the student maintains continuous enrollment at the institution, Sec. 16-64-2 am'd.

Summary

SB83 expands in-state tuition eligibility for military-connected students by making minor children of service members stationed in Alabama eligible for resident status and by treating the service member, spouse, and minor children as resident students even if the service member is reassigned out of state, as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 16-64-2 to define resident student status for both adults and minors connected to the military in Alabama. It allows minor children of service members stationed in Alabama to enroll as resident students under certain conditions, and it requires institutions to consider the service member, spouse, and minor children as resident students regardless of whether the service member has orders to attend school. It also outlines specific categories for non-minor students (active-duty members, National Guard, veterans, and certain near-Alabama veterans) to qualify for in-state tuition, with conditions such as continuous enrollment or proximity. The boards of public colleges and universities must adopt rules to implement these changes.

Who It Affects

• Military service members stationed in Alabama, along with their spouses and minor children, who will be treated as resident students for tuition purposes regardless of orders to attend schooling.
• Public institutions of higher education in Alabama, which must implement rules and guidelines to apply the new residency provisions.

Key Provisions

• Minor children of a military service member stationed in Alabama may register as resident students and be considered in-state for tuition under specified conditions tied to the status of their supporting person.
• Public institutions must treat the service member stationed in Alabama, as well as the member's spouse and minor children, as resident students regardless of whether the service member is under orders to attend schooling.
• For non-minor students, residency for tuition can be granted if they are active-duty military or spouses stationed in Alabama under orders (or other qualifying categories such as Alabama National Guard, veterans with specified conditions, or certain near-Alabama veterans with board-approved tuition rules).
• For minor students whose supporting person is an active-duty service member stationed in Alabama under orders for duties other than attending school, residency continues even if the supporting person transfers out of state, provided continuous enrollment is maintained.
• Boards of trustees must adopt rules to implement these residency provisions.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Higher Education