House Bill 233 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ed OliverRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

National Guard Educational Assistance Program, applied to workforce development programs, amount of benefits revised

Summary

HB233 revises Alabama's National Guard Educational Assistance Program to include workforce development programs, with new funding, eligibility, and administration rules.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes tuition assistance for workforce development programs under the National Guard Educational Assistance Program and requires joint administration by the State Military Department and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. It caps annual funding at $10 million, sets payment timing (within 90 days after the term starts), and allows reimbursement based on certified documentation, with potential proration if funds are insufficient. It limits benefits by total hours (up to 120 academic hours, with no more than 72 hours from a community college) and degree progress (no second bachelor’s or second graduate degree), preserves the Academic Excellence Benefit at 100% of qualified tuition and fees for eligible undergraduates, and prohibits out-of-state differential charges for eligible members. It establishes eligibility requirements (active National Guard member, 17+, good standing, 2.0 GPA, FAFSA, promissory note) and repayment rules if service ends early or if academic/disciplinary dismissal occurs, with a medical exemption for certain Veterans Affairs rating cases; it also notes that existing Academic Excellence Assistance as of Aug 1, 2026 continues at the same amount for current recipients. And it becomes effective October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Active Alabama National Guard members who pursue college coursework or workforce development programs and may receive tuition reimbursement or Academic Excellence Benefits under the revised program
• Alabama colleges, universities, and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (and the State Military Department) responsible for administering, approving eligible programs, distributing funds, and determining eligibility and eligible expenses

Key Provisions

• Authorizes workforce development programs to be funded under the National Guard Educational Assistance Program and updates definitions to include workforce development
• Sets a $10 million annual funding cap and designates joint administration by the Adjutant General and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education
• Requires payments within 90 days after the term start, based on certified documentation, with end-of-term disbursement and possible prorating if funds run short
• Defines benefits: Academic Excellence Benefit provides 100% of qualified tuition and fees for eligible undergraduates; overall tuition assistance cannot exceed the state-wide median tuition per term; no nonresident differential charges for eligible members
• Imposes limits: up to 120 academic hours total (72 hours from community college); no second bachelor’s or second graduate degree; 12-year limit from first tuition payment; graduate hours capped at 60 if bachelor’s not pursued; repayment required if service ends early or for academic/disciplinary dismissal
• Requires eligibility criteria and consent: active NG member, 17+, good standing, satisfactory academic progress (2.0 GPA), FAFSA (except for high school concurrent enrollment), promissory note; medical exemption for some VA-rated disability cases
• Establishes repayment rules for termination of service or ineligibility and sets final authority for eligibility and eligible expenses with the Adjutant General and ACE
• Preserves existing Academic Excellence Assistance for current recipients as of Aug 1, 2026, continuing at the same amount until completion
• Repeals Section 31-10-4.1 and replaces the current provisions; Section 31-10-2, 31-10-3, and 31-10-4 are amended
• Effective date: October 1, 2026

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 19, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Military