HB525INTRODUCED
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HB525
U98PKDD-1
By Representatives Chestnut, Daniels, England, McCampbell,
Lawrence, Gray, Lands, Travis, Bracy, Hassell, Sellers,
Morris, Moore (M), Hall
RFD: Ways and Means Education
First Read: 03-Apr-25
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7 U98PKDD-1 04/02/2025 KMS (L)cr 2025-1497
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First Read: 03-Apr-25
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, the Alabama Student Grant
Program, administered by the Alabama Commission on
Higher Education, awards grants to students to attend
certain approved independent Alabama institutions of
higher education.
This bill would add any independent historically
Black college or university (HBCU) located in Selma,
Alabama, to the list of institutions approved to
participate in the grant program.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Section 16-33A-1, Code of Alabama 1975,
relating to the Alabama Student Grant Program; to add any
independent historically Black college or university (HBCU)
located in Selma, Alabama, to the list of institutions
approved to participate in the grant program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Section 16-33A-1 of the Code of Alabama
1975, is amended to read as follows:
"§16-33A-1
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"§16-33A-1
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires
otherwise, the following terms shall have the following
meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section :
(1) ACHE. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education.
(2) ALABAMA RESIDENT. A person An individual who has
been domiciled in the State of Alabama for a period of at
least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding application
for a grant under the Alabama Student Grant Program program.
The ACHE shall promulgate adopt and enforce regulations rules
further defining and limiting the term domicile so as to limit
the benefits of this legislation chapter to bona fide Alabama
citizens residents, based upon criteria including residency of
parents and guardians, voter registration of students and
parents, driver's license registration, and other facts
indicating bona fide citizenship residency.
(3) APPROVED INSTITUTION. a. Includes all of the
following:
1. Any independent nonprofit postsecondary institution
of higher learning located in the State of Alabama which is
accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools , any.
2. Any independent nonprofit postsecondary institution
of higher learning whose credits are accepted by at least
three other institutions which are accredited by the
Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools, or any
3. Any independent postsecondary institution of higher
learning with a permanent facility offering classroom
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learning with a permanent facility offering classroom
instruction located in Montgomery County, Alabama, which has
been incorporated and in continuous operation for over 50
years and which has been accredited for over 10 years by the
Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools, prior to July 1, 2010.
4. Any independent postsecondary historically Black
college or university (HBCU) located in Selma, Alabama, that
is accredited by a federally recognized accreditation agency.
b. Such an An approved institution must have an
academic curriculum which is not comprised principally of
sectarian instruction or preparation of students for a
sectarian vocation and which does not award primarily
theologian or seminarian degrees. To the extent that any such
institution may have a religious or denominational
affiliation, it the institution must perform essentially
secular educational functions which are distinct and separable
from religious activity. Such an An approved institution must
not discriminate in its admissions practices on the basis of
religious or denominational preference.
c. No independent postsecondary institution of higher
learning shall be considered an approved institution during
any fiscal year in which it the institution receives a direct
appropriation from the State of Alabama. Nothing contained
herein in this subdivision shall be construed to limit,
replace, or diminish any direct state appropriation now being
made or which shall hereafter be made to any independent
institution of higher learning.
(4) ELIGIBLE STUDENT. Any applicant for a grant under
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(4) ELIGIBLE STUDENT. Any applicant for a grant under
the Alabama Student Grant Program program who:
a. Has obtained a certificate of graduation from a
secondary school or the recognized equivalent of such
graduation; and
b. Is classified as an undergraduate student, as
defined in this chapter; and
c. Is an Alabama resident, as defined in this chapter;
and
d. Is a citizen of the United States or in the process
of becoming a citizen of the United States; and
e. Is enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a
full-time or part-time student in a program of at least six
months' duration in an approved institution as defined in this
chapter; and
f. Is not enrolled and does not intend to enroll in a
course of study leading to an undergraduate degree in theology
or divinity.
(5) FULL-TIME STUDENT. An individual student who meets
the criteria established by definitions , and rules, and
regulations to be established adopted by the ACHE.
(6) GRANT. A monetary award under the Alabama Student
Grant Program program to an approved institution on behalf of
and to the credit of an eligible student pursuant to this
chapter.
(7) INSTITUTIONAL RELATED EXPENSES. Nonsectarian
educational expenses , including, but not limited to, tuition,
mandatory fees, room and board, transportation, books and
supplies, and other incidental nonsectarian education expenses
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supplies, and other incidental nonsectarian education expenses
anticipated by an eligible student.
(8) PART-TIME STUDENT. An individual student who meets
all qualifications as an eligible student and who meets the
further criteria to be established by the ACHE.
(9) PROGRAM. The Alabama Student Grant Program,
including the administration thereof.
(10) UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT. Any individual student who
meets all other qualifications as an eligible student and has
not received a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent."
Section 2. This act shall become effective on July 1,
2025.
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