The bill amends Sections 31-10-2, 31-10-3, and 31-10-4 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to enhance the National Guard Educational Assistance Program by introducing several key changes. Notably, it authorizes tuition assistance for workforce development programs and allows for earlier assistance payments within the academic term. The administration of the program will now be jointly managed by the State Military Department and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. New definitions are added, including "differential tuition," "educational expenses," and "workforce development program," while Section 31-10-4.1, which previously outlined qualifications for the program, is repealed.

Additionally, the bill modifies the payment structure for tuition assistance, ensuring reimbursements are processed within 90 days of the academic period's start based on "institutional rosters" instead of "certified invoices." It establishes a cap on assistance, limiting claims to 120 academic hours for a bachelor's degree and 60 for a graduate degree, and specifies that members who have already obtained a degree are ineligible for further assistance towards a second degree. The bill also prohibits public institutions from imposing nonresident tuition rates on eligible members and requires them to maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain benefits. Unexpended funds at the end of the fiscal year will remain available for disbursement, and the act is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 31-10-2, 31-10-3, 31-10-4, 31-10-2, 31-10-3, 31-10-3, 31-10-4, 31-10-4, 31-10-4
Engrossed: 31-10-2, 31-10-3, 31-10-4, 31-10-2, 31-10-3, 31-10-3, 31-10-4, 31-10-4, 31-10-3, 31-10-4
Enrolled: 31-10-2, 31-10-3, 31-10-4, 31-10-2, 31-10-3, 31-10-3, 31-10-4, 31-10-4, 31-10-3, 31-10-4