House Bill 125 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Terri CollinsRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Alabama Commission on Higher Education, ReEngage Alabama Grant Program, minimum age of adult learner decreased, eligibility requirements revised.

Summary

HB125 lowers the ReEngage Alabama Grant program’s adult learner age from 25 to 22 and expands eligibility to returning students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree after an associate, with grants up to $3,000 per university semester or $1,500 per community college semester, funded subject to availability.

What This Bill Does

HB125 lowers the minimum age for an 'adult learner' from 25 to 22 and expands eligibility to include students who have not previously received a grant and are pursuing their first bachelor’s degree after a two-year stop-out following an associate degree. Grants would be awarded per semester up to $3,000 for universities and $1,500 for community colleges, with prorating for part-time enrollment. Grants would be paid directly to approved institutions on the student’s behalf and could be renewed for the number of terms normally required to complete the degree, as long as the student remains eligible. The program’s funding is contingent on available money; if demand exceeds funds, the commission will establish procedures to allocate awards, and funds appropriated are nonreverting. Authorized institutions enrolling eligible adult learners must inform them of other federal and state benefits and help them utilize those benefits.

Who It Affects

• Adult learners in Alabama who are 22 years of age or older and pursuing their first associate or bachelor's degree, including those who stopped out for two years after an associate degree, who could qualify for ReEngage Alabama Grant funds.
• Participating Alabama colleges and universities (approved/authorized institutions) that enroll eligible adult learners and receive grant payments on their students’ behalf, while informing them about other benefits.

Key Provisions

• Lowers the minimum age for an 'adult learner' from 25 to 22.
• Expands eligibility to include students who have not previously received a grant and are pursuing their first bachelor’s degree after a two-year stop-out following an associate degree.
• Grant amounts: up to $3,000 per academic semester for universities and up to $1,500 per semester for community colleges; proportionally reduced for part-time or nonstandard terms.
• Grants are renewable for the number of terms normally required to complete the degree, as long as the student remains eligible, with funds disbursed to the institution.
• Grants are paid directly to approved/participating institutions on the student’s behalf.
• Funding is contingent on available funds; the commission will set procedures if demand exceeds funding; appropriations are nonreverting.
• Institutions enrolling eligible adult learners must inform them of other federal and state benefits and assist them in using those benefits.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education