SB203 Summary

• Establishes the Alabama Teacher Initiative to provide scholarships for teacher preparation program students enrolled at Alabama colleges who commit to teach in rural areas for five years after certification.

• Phases in 200 scholarships per year starting with 50 scholarships in academic year 2020-2021, with maximum enrollment not exceeding 200 students at any one time.

• Scholarships cover tuition costs for students pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) or special education certification for grades 7-12 and may not reduce other financial aid.

• Students must execute a service contract with the Alabama Commission on Higher Education committing to complete their degree and certification within four years and teach in designated rural areas for five years.

• Students or former students who fail to comply with service contract terms must repay all scholarship funds received plus interest; ACHE administers the program with annual reporting and funding requests to the Legislature.