HB271 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Terri CollinsRepresentative
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Alabama Commission on Higher Education and ReEngage Alabama Grant Program, minimum age of an adult learner decreased from 25 to 22; definition of eligible student expanded
Summary: HB271 lowers the adult-learner age to 22 and widens ReEngage Alabama Grant eligibility to include students pursuing a first bachelor’s degree after a two-year stop-out following an associate degree, provided they have not previously received a grant.
What This Bill Does
It changes the definition of 'adult learner' to 22 years old and older, and expands who is eligible for the ReEngage Alabama Grant. It adds as eligible those pursuing their first bachelor’s degree after a two-year stop-out following an associate degree, who have not previously received a grant. Grants remain available up to $3,000 per semester for universities and $1,500 per semester for community colleges for full-time students, with prorating for part-time terms, and are renewable for the number of terms normally required by the institution as long as the student stays eligible; payments are made to the approved institution on the student’s behalf and depend on available funding. The act also requires FAFSA and directs institutions to inform students about other educational benefits and help them access those benefits.

Who It Affects
Adult learners in Alabama who are 22 years old or older and returning to college to pursue a degree will be eligible for the grant.
Students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree after a two-year stop-out period following an associate degree, who have not previously received a grant, will be eligible for the grant.

Key Provisions
Decrease the minimum age of an adult learner from 25 to 22 years of age.
Expand the eligible student definition to include those pursuing a first bachelor’s degree after a two-year stop-out following an associate degree, who have not previously received a grant.
Grant amounts: up to $3,000 per semester for universities and $1,500 per semester for community colleges for full-time students; prorated for partial terms.
Grants are renewable for the number of terms normally required by the institution, as long as the student remains eligible and enrolled.
Grants are paid directly to the approved institution on the student’s behalf and are contingent on available funding; funds are nonreverting.
Requires FAFSA and requires institutions to inform students of other federal/state educational benefits and assist them in accessing those benefits.
Effective date: October 1, 2025.

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