SB175 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

To establish the ReEngage Alabama Grant Program; to provide grant award payments to eligible adult learners; to provide eligibility standards, and to provide for administration by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education; relating to grants for short-term credentials; to establish the Alabama Short-Term Credential Scholarship Program to provide grants to Alabama residents to help them earn short-term credentials; to determine eligible recipients; to establish procedures for administering the program; to set forth the process by which the program will be funded; and to repeal the Alabama Apprenticeship Tax Credit Act commencing with Section 40-18-422, Code of Alabama 1975.

Summary

SB175 creates two new grant programs—one to help adult learners return to college to finish degrees linked to high-demand jobs, and another to help students earn short-term credentials through Alabama Community College System institutions—while repealing the Apprenticeship Tax Credit Act.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the ReEngage Alabama Grant Program, administered by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, to provide grants for eligible adult learners returning to college to complete a degree aligned with workforce needs. It also creates the Alabama Short-Term Credential Scholarship Program for short-term, in-demand credentials through Alabama Community College System institutions, with grants covering qualifying expenses. The programs set eligibility rules, grant amounts (up to $3,000/semester for universities and $1,500/semester for community colleges; up to $4,500 for short-term credentials), renewal and repayment terms, and require funds to be distributed to institutions; funding is provided by dedicated funds and the act runs through 2028, with annual reporting and an evaluation plan.

Who It Affects

• Adult learners in Alabama who are 25 years or older, have some college credits, are Alabama residents, and want to return to college to complete a degree connected to high-demand occupations.
• Students in Alabama seeking short-term credentials through Alabama Community College System institutions, including Alabama residents enrolled in eligible programs and the colleges themselves that will administer the grants.

Key Provisions

• Creates the ReEngage Alabama Grant Program to provide grant payments to eligible adult learners, administered by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.
• Defines eligibility for adult learners and eligible programs, including age (25+), residency, prior postsecondary attendance, degree alignment with high-demand occupations, and ongoing full- or part-time enrollment requirements.
• Provides grant amounts: up to $3,000 per academic semester for universities and up to $1,500 per semester for community colleges (with proportional amounts for partial terms); grants are paid to approved institutions; half on the first day of class and half after completion; the second half is forfeited if the student does not complete; a one-year deadline to finish triggers repayment of the initial half.
• Creates the Alabama Short-Term Credential Scholarship Program for short-term credentials through ACCS institutions; eligible students may receive up to $4,500 per program, paid to the ACCS institution to cover qualifying expenses; program duration is two semesters or less; half paid on first day, half after completion; non-completion requires repayment of the first half; no more than one grant per student per calendar year.
• ACCS and participating institutions must adopt policies, establish eligibility standards, manage applications, ensure non-discrimination, verify residency, and ensure funds are used only for qualifying expenses.
• Establishes the Short-Term Credential Scholarship Fund in the State Treasury; funds for the program run from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2028, with nonreverting funds and annual reporting and evaluation requirements; a portion may be used for program operation and maintenance.
• Repeals the Alabama Apprenticeship Tax Credit Act effective December 31, 2024, unless extended by the Legislature.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.