SB118 Summary

• Creates an early graduation scholarship program providing grants to students who graduate from high school at least one semester early and attend accredited postsecondary institutions or vocational programs in Alabama.

• Students graduating one year early receive up to $1,250 for the first academic year and $750 for the second year; students graduating one semester early receive up to $1,000 and $500 respectively, with funds limited to tuition, books, and fees.

• Eligible students must graduate from an Alabama public high school at least one semester early, pass all components of the high school graduation examination, be Alabama residents for 12 months, and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

• Establishes the Early Graduation Scholarship Fund in the State Treasury, funded by Foundation Program dollars ($2,200 per student graduating one year early; $1,700 per student graduating one semester early) redirected from high schools, with the Alabama Commission on Higher Education administering awards.

• School districts continue including early graduates in average daily membership calculations and funding until their original class graduates, and scholarship recipients may participate in high school extracurricular activities and graduation ceremonies with their original class.