HB525 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Prince ChestnutRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Alabama Student Grant Program, HBCU in Selma added to approved institutions for which students may receive grants to attend

Summary

HB525 would add an independent historically Black college or university located in Selma to the list of approved institutions for the Alabama Student Grant Program.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the Selma HBCU would become an approved institution eligible to participate in the Alabama Student Grant Program. Eligible Alabama residents who attend that school could receive grant funds to cover qualifying expenses. The school must meet the same criteria as other approved institutions (accreditation, nonsectarian curriculum, and not primarily theology degrees, with secular functions if religious) and must not be considered an approved institution in any fiscal year in which it receives direct state funding. The change would take effect on July 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Alabama resident undergraduate students who enroll at the Selma-based independent HBCU would be able to apply for and receive Alabama Student Grants to help pay for approved expenses.
• The Selma independent HBCU would become an approved institution eligible to participate in the grant program.
• The Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) would implement the change by updating the approved institutions list and administering the grant program for the new institution.

Key Provisions

• Adds an independent postsecondary historically Black college or university located in Selma, Alabama, to the list of approved institutions eligible for the Alabama Student Grant Program.
• The Selma HBCU must be an independent nonprofit postsecondary institution located in Alabama and accredited by a federally recognized accreditation agency, meeting the bill's criteria for approved institutions (nonsectarian curriculum, not primarily theology degrees, secular functions if religious, and nondiscrimination in admissions).
• An approved institution must not be considered approved during any fiscal year in which it receives a direct state appropriation.
• Effective date: July 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