The Alabama Commission on Higher Education approved a series of rule changes affecting multiple state financial aid programs, expanding eligibility for scholarships, loan repayment assistance and workforce training while updating administrative procedures to reflect new laws approved by the legislature during the 2026 session.
During a special-called meeting Tuesday, commissioners gave final approval to amendments to four programs and preliminary approval to changes to a fifth, completing the second step of the state’s administrative rulemaking process for most of the proposals.
Stephanie C. Dolan presented the proposed amendments to ACHE’s administrative code, outlining changes to several state financial aid and scholarship programs. Dolan said no public comments were received during the required notice period for the items receiving final approval.
ACHE updated the Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program, commonly known as ANGEAP. The revised rules formally clarify the partnership between ACHE and the state military department by specifying that ACHE will have final authority over eligible educational expenses. The state’s adjutant general will determine which National Guard members receive assistance.
Staff said the changes largely codify existing practice while providing greater administrative clarity.
“It’s not that this was not already happening,” Dolan said. “We just wanted clarity and showing our working together.”
The amendments also expand covered educational expenses to include textbooks, additional course fees, differential tuition, required campus housing, meal plans and certain professional fees. Workforce development programs leading to industry-recognized credentials will also become eligible alongside associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. Institutions offering workforce development programs must be registered providers with the state.
Commissioners also gave final approval to rules implementing changes to the Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program, which has been renamed the Loan Assistance and Support of Educators in Alabama, or LASEA.
The renamed program broadens eligibility beyond math, science and computer science teachers to include educators certified in fields that address teacher shortages in the state. Under the new rules, educators may qualify for up to $7,500 annually in loan repayment for teaching in a shortage subject area, with an additional $3,000 per year available for those working in schools or school systems designated as acute shortage locations. Both awards are available for up to four consecutive years.
The revised rules also establish annual reviews to determine which certification areas and school systems qualify as acute shortages and require ACHE to develop a plan to measure the program’s impact.
“Accountability was something that was added new for this particular program,” Dolan said. “The commission shall develop an accountability and evaluation plan. We identify the goals, objectives and expected outputs. We describe specific activities, expected metrics of success and provide an evaluation plan that we will give to the Alabama Commission on the evaluation of services each year.”
Commissioners also approved changes to the Re-Engage Alabama Grant Program designed to expand access for adult learners.
The amendments lower the minimum eligibility age from 25 to 22 and allow students who previously earned an associate degree, stopped attending college for at least two years and are pursuing their first bachelor’s degree to qualify for grant funding if they have not previously received a Re-Engage Alabama grant.
The commission also finalized updates to the Alabama Law Enforcement Officers’ Family Scholarship Program following legislative changes enacted earlier this year.
The revised rules lower the maximum eligible age for dependent children from 27 to 24, update eligibility definitions for qualifying law enforcement officers and surviving spouses, and set scholarship awards at up to $2,500 per academic term for tuition and mandatory fees.
Recipients who qualify for tuition discounts based on the qualifying law enforcement officer’s employment at a participating postsecondary institution will be limited to $1,500 per academic term.
“This comes into being that those individuals typically have a tuition cost break, because they are an employee of the institution,” Dolan said.
Applicants must also submit documentation, including birth or marriage certificates, a completed FAFSA and a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act release form.
The commission also gave preliminary approval to amendments to the Move On When Ready dual enrollment program.
The proposed changes would eliminate language stating that parents or guardians are responsible for paying any remaining costs owed to participating colleges after Move On When Ready funds have been applied. Because the proposal received only preliminary approval, it will now enter the state’s public notice and comment process before returning to the commission for final consideration.
