Senate Bill 224 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew JonesSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

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

Summary

SB224 would lower the disability threshold for the Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship from 40% to 30% and create a pilot program to expand eligibility for dependents of eligible veterans, with related changes to benefits, timelines, and sunset rules.

What This Bill Does

Reduces the minimum veteran disability rating required for a dependent to participate in the scholarship program to 30%. Establishes a pilot program to admit a limited number of additional dependents of eligible veterans into the scholarship program. Keeps and clarifies benefits for spouses and children of veterans with 40-90% disability, including up to 27 months of schooling, time limits to complete training, and rules about program changes. Sets financial and administrative requirements, including in-state tuition limits, private-school caps for tuition and books/fees, FAFSA filing, SAP standards, annual reporting, a residency-related eligibility path starting in 2027, and a sunset date of December 31, 2028 with a June 1, 2026 effective date.

Who It Affects

• Dependents (spouses and children) of veterans who may qualify for scholarships or education benefits under revised eligibility rules.
• Veterans with disabilities (and the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and participating colleges) who oversee, administer, and fund the program and ensure compliance with new caps, timelines, and reporting.

Key Provisions

• Minimum disability rating to participate reduced to 30% for eligibility of dependents.
• A pilot program to admit additional dependents beyond current limits, with annual caps and process defined in statute.
• For spouses and children of veterans with 40-90% disability: up to 27 months of schooling, six-year completion window, one program change allowed without counseling, and training initiation before age 26 with completion by age 34.
• Financial benefits include in-state tuition limits for undergraduate study; private schools: tuition up to $400 per semester hour and books/fees up to $1,000 per student per semester.
• Some pre-2017 eligibility (20-39% disability) remains possible if certain filing deadlines and conditions are met (as described in the bill).
• Starting January 1, 2027, a new pathway allows up to 100 dependents annually (whose residency objections would otherwise prevent eligibility) if the qualifying veteran has 50% disability and has been a Alabama resident for at least five years; priority goes to higher disability ratings.
• All recipients must apply for federal student aid (FAFSA) and meet SAP standards; schools must notify appropriate authorities of changes in eligibility and ensure compliance with Title IV-like standards.
• Benefits under this act expire December 31, 2028 unless extended by the Legislature; the act becomes effective June 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education