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Read. Follow. Verify.Alabama lowers ReEngage grant age eligibility to 22 and expands degree criteria
Last action · February 19, 2026: Read for the Second Time and placed on the CalendarSponsor: Donnie Chesteen
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What This Bill Would Do
Alabama lowers the minimum age requirement for the ReEngage Alabama Grant Program from 25 to 22 and expands eligibility to students pursuing a first baccalaureate degree after a two-year following an associate degree. The measure takes effect October 1, 2026.
Younger adult learners and graduates returning for further degrees become eligible for tuition grants up to $3,000 per semester at universities and $1,500 at community colleges, subject to available state funding.
- The ReEngage Alabama Grant Program was established to provide financial award payments to adult learners pursuing first associate or baccalaureate degrees to assist them in earning short-term credentials. context
- The Alabama Commission on Higher Education coordinates statewide higher education policy and administers student financial aid programs. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
adult learners aged 22 to 24
Adult learners between 22 and 24 years of age become newly eligible to apply for grant award payments under the ReEngage Alabama Grant Program.
authorized institutions of higher education
Authorized institutions must receive direct grant distributions on behalf of students and verify that participating students are aware of and utilize all other available educational benefits.
Alabama Commission on Higher Education
The commission must administer program rules under the revised age and eligibility criteria and establish procedures if applicants exceed funding.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much financial assistance can eligible students receive per semester?
When does this change take effect?
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
10 actions- Feb 19, 2026HouseRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Feb 18, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Out of Committee Second House
- Feb 12, 2026HouseCommitteePending Committee Action in Second House
- Feb 12, 2026HouseIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Education Policy
- Feb 12, 2026SenateFloorMotion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 398
- Feb 12, 2026SenateThird Reading in House of Origin
Show 4 earlier actions
- Jan 21, 2026SenateRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Jan 21, 2026SenateCommitteeReported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Jan 13, 2026SenateCommitteePending Committee Action in House of Origin
- Jan 13, 2026SenateIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Education Policy
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Voting Record
Third Reading in House of Origin
Total
34
- Yes
- 29
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 5
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (34)
10 more members
Show 1 earlier roll call
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 398
Total
34
- Yes
- 29
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 5
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (34)
10 more members
Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
alison.legislature.state.al.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance50How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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