SB357 Summary

• Creates the Alabama Commitment Scholarship program to provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors and GED recipients for attendance at Alabama two-year community colleges.

• Establishes the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) as the program administrator with authority to promulgate rules and define student eligibility requirements.

• Limits scholarship awards to the cost of tuition and mandatory fees less other gift aid, with a maximum annual award of $2,000 per student.

• Requires scholarship recipients to maintain satisfactory academic progress, complete the FAFSA annually, and participate in mentoring and community service programs, with eligibility ending upon degree completion or after 2.5 years of enrollment.

• Creates the Alabama Commitment Scholarship Fund in the State Treasury to receive appropriated funds and interest income, with unexpended balances carrying forward to subsequent fiscal years rather than reverting.