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AlabamaHB2332026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

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

Sponsored By: Ed Oliver (Republican)

Enacted

Military

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

More workforce training help for Guard members

Beginning October 1, 2026, eligible Alabama National Guard members can get education assistance for approved workforce training. This includes accredited or nonaccredited certifications and stand-alone training leading to an industry-recognized credential. The Adjutant General and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education's Executive Director jointly approve programs and decide how assistance applies. Providers seeking approval must be registered Alabama state vendors.

Degree limits on Guard education aid

Beginning October 1, 2026, undergraduate assistance ends at 120 academic hours or the first bachelor's degree, whichever comes first. No more than 72 hours can be earned at a community college. Covered undergraduate programs must qualify for Pell aid and provide credits toward an undergraduate degree. Graduate assistance requires that the member did not use program benefits for a bachelor's degree. It ends at 60 academic hours or the first graduate degree, whichever comes first. Members who already hold a bachelor's or graduate degree cannot get help for another degree at that same level.

Current Guard students keep existing award amounts

Beginning October 1, 2026, Guard members receiving academic excellence assistance before August 1, 2026, keep the same assistance amount. This protection lasts until they finish the course or workforce development program for which the assistance was provided.

No out-of-state tuition for eligible Guard members

Beginning October 1, 2026, Alabama public colleges cannot charge eligible active Alabama National Guard members out-of-state tuition. They also cannot charge extra out-of-state resident fees. Members must be in good standing and meet the education assistance program's eligibility requirements.

Repayment relief for medically disqualified Guard members

Beginning October 1, 2026, members disqualified from Alabama National Guard service solely for medical reasons can avoid repaying education assistance. They must have a Veterans Administration disability rating of at least 40%. Members meeting both requirements are exempt from repaying assistance they received under the program.

Eligibility and repayment rules for Guard students

Beginning October 1, 2026, the law replaces the prior tuition-reimbursement rules with a broader education-assistance framework. Applicants must be active members of a federally recognized Alabama National Guard unit, finish basic training, and be at least 17. They must meet military membership and good-standing standards when applying and before their course or academic period begins. Students must meet their school's federal student-aid progress standards and keep at least a 2.0 GPA or equivalent. Those who lose federal aid eligibility for poor progress cannot receive assistance again until they meet the standards. A FAFSA is required, except for high school students also enrolled in college. Recipients must sign a repayment document. Service ending or becoming unsatisfactory during assistance or within four years afterward triggers proportional repayment and ends further benefits, unless a repayment exemption applies. Academic or disciplinary dismissal also ends further assistance. The Adjutant General has final authority over eligibility.

Broader Guard education help with payment limits

Beginning October 1, 2026, Guard assistance can cover tuition, fees, textbooks, training costs, and required campus housing and meal plans. Other education benefits apply first, as law allows; total payments cannot exceed median per-term tuition at Alabama public four-year colleges. Payments require approved proof of enrollment, eligibility, and charges, and arrive within 90 days after a semester or quarter starts, subject to funding. Unused, uncommitted fund money stays at year-end, except appropriations from other state funds; state rules can allow earlier payments using retained money. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education decides eligible expenses and writes program rules jointly with the State Military Department.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ed Oliver

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Chad Robertson

    Republican • House

  • Jerry Starnes

    Republican • House

  • Kenneth Paschal

    Republican • House

  • Rick Rehm

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 342 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/9/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1324

Yes: 29 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2026

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 822

Yes: 104 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 104 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 823

Yes: 105 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    4/16/2026House

  2. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1324

    4/9/2026Senate

  3. Ready to Enroll

    4/9/2026House

  4. Enrolled

    4/9/2026House

  5. Signature Requested

    4/9/2026Senate

  6. Signature Requested

    4/9/2026Senate

  7. Signature Requested

    4/9/2026Senate

  8. Delivered to Governor

    4/9/2026House

  9. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    3/19/2026Senate

  10. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    3/18/2026Senate

  11. Third Reading in House of Origin

    3/10/2026House

  12. Ways and Means Education 1st Substitute Offered

    3/10/2026House

  13. Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 822

    3/10/2026House

  14. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 823

    3/10/2026House

  15. Engrossed

    3/10/2026House

  16. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation Education

    3/10/2026Senate

  17. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    3/10/2026Senate

  18. Ways and Means Education 1st Substitute

    3/3/2026House

  19. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    3/3/2026House

  20. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    3/3/2026House

  21. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means Education

    1/14/2026House

  22. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    1/14/2026House

Bill Text

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