SB192INTRODUCED
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SB192
F2K4D5C-1
By Senator Stewart
RFD: Finance and Taxation Education
First Read: 20-Feb-25
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5 F2K4D5C-1 02/20/2025 OW (L) 2025-515
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First Read: 20-Feb-25
SYNOPSIS:
This bill would add one institution of higher
learning located in Selma, Alabama, to the institutions
allowed to participate in the Alabama Student Grant
Program which is administered by the Alabama Commission
on Higher Education.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to the Alabama Student Grant Program; to amend
Section 16-33A-1, Code of Alabama 1975, to add one institution
of higher learning located in Selma, Alabama, to the
institutions allowed to participate in the program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Section 16-33A-1, Code of Alabama 1975, is
amended to read as follows:
"ยง16-33A-1
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires
otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings
respectively ascribed to them by this section:
(1) ACHE. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education.
(2) ALABAMA RESIDENT. A person who has been domiciled
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(2) ALABAMA RESIDENT. A person 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. The ACHE shall
promulgate adopt and enforce regulations further defining and
limiting the term domicile so as to limit the benefits of this
legislation to bona fide Alabama citizens, based upon criteria
including residency of parents and guardians, voter
registration of students and parents, driver's driver license
registration, and other facts indicating bona fide
citizenship.
(3) APPROVED INSTITUTION. 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 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 independent postsecondary institution of higher
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 , or any independent
postsecondary historically black college or university (HBCU)
institution of higher learning located in Selma, Alabama, that
is eligible for Title IV funding and accredited by a federally
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is eligible for Title IV funding and accredited by a federally
recognized accreditation agency . Such 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 must perform essentially secular educational
functions which are distinct and separable from religious
activity. Such an approved institution must not discriminate
in its admissions practices on the basis of religious or
denominational preference. No independent postsecondary
institution of higher learning shall be considered an approved
institution during any fiscal year in which it receives a
direct appropriation from the State of Alabama. Nothing
contained herein 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
the Alabama Student Grant 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
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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, rules, and
regulations to be established by the ACHE.
(6) GRANT. A monetary award under the Alabama Student
Grant 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
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 October
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Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2025.113