HB487 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Parker MooreRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program, veterans, dependents, tuition assistance, disability requirements revised

Summary

HB487 expands and pilots changes to the Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program by lowering the disability threshold to 20%, relaxing when benefits can be used, and adding a limited pilot to admit more veteran dependents.

What This Bill Does

It lowers the disability requirement for eligibility to 20% for dependents of veterans. It removes some rules that kept benefits as a last resort after other aid, allowing benefits to be used alongside other aid. It creates a January 1, 2026 pilot program to admit up to 100 additional dependents per year who would be eligible but for Alabama residency rules, with a 50% disability rating and at least five years of Alabama residency for the veteran, and the program would expire December 31, 2027 unless extended; benefits under the pilot are the same as other chapter benefits and follow the same reporting requirements. It also outlines private-school benefit specifics (tuition up to $400 per semester hour and $1,000 for books/fees per student) and preserves in-state undergraduate limits for other cases. The act becomes effective June 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Dependents of veterans (children and spouses/widows) who may qualify for scholarships and receive education benefits; they gain expanded eligibility and new options under the pilot.
• Educational institutions, financial aid offices, and the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs that administer the program, including private schools, which must apply other aid first, verify SAP, and coordinate reporting for eligibility and benefits.

Key Provisions

• Minimum disability rating for participation lowered to 20% for eligible dependents of veterans.
• Benefits no longer strictly restricted as payer of last resort; students may receive this program's aid before or alongside other available aid as allowed by law.
• New pilot program beginning Jan 1, 2026 allowing up to 100 additional dependents per year who would be eligible but for Alabama residency; requires veteran to have 50% disability and five years of permanent Alabama residency; includes priority for higher disability ratings and sunset of Dec 31, 2027 unless extended.
• Private-school benefits clarified: for first-time private-school applicants (from 2017 onward), tuition reimbursement capped at $400 per semester hour and books/fees at $1,000 per student; private-school benefits follow the same rules as other chapters.
• Effective date and sunset: act takes effect June 1, 2025; pilot program expires 12/31/2027 unless extended.

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