HB 125 Alabama House · 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Commission on Higher Education, ReEngage Alabama Grant Program, minimum age of adult learner decreased, eligibility requirements revised.

HB 125 lowers the minimum age for Alabama's ReEngage Alabama Grant Program from 25 to 22 years old, expanding eligibility to younger adult learners. It also creates a new eligibility path for students who previously earned an associate degree, took a two-year break from college, and are now pursuing their first bachelor's degree without having received a grant before. The bill does not change the grant amounts ($3,000 per semester for universities, $1,500 for community colleges) or other core program rules. This directly affects Alabama residents aged 22-24 who are returning to college for their first bachelor's degree after an associate degree and a two-year gap. The bill is scheduled to take effect October 1, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Jan 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 7, 2026 Signed Mar 31, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 6 edits · Mar 31, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as an enrolled act, changing its status from a draft introduction to a law ready for execution. The core policy change lowers the minimum age for the ReEngage Alabama Grant Program from 25 to 22 years old, expanding access for younger adult learners. Additionally, the bill adds a new eligibility pathway for individuals who earned an associate degree, stopped out for two years, and are now pursuing a first bachelor's degree without having previously received a grant.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include a new category of eligible students: those pursuing their first bachelor's degree after a two-year break following an associate degree, provided they have not previously received a grant award.

ELIGIBILITY

The minimum age requirement for an 'adult learner' was reduced from 25 years to 22 years.

A new eligibility criterion was added for students pursuing their first bachelor's degree after a two-year stop-out period following an associate degree, excluding those who previously received a grant.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added for 'Authorized Institution' (requiring a signed agreement with the commission) and 'Continuous Enrollment' (progress without a stop-out exceeding one semester).

REQUIREMENT

New requirements mandate that institutions inform students of other available federal and state benefits to ensure they utilize all eligible aid.

TIMELINE

The law specifies an effective date of October 1, 2026.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was updated from an introduced draft version to the final enrolled version, including certification of passage by the House and Senate.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 786

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

upper

Jan 15, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Finance and Taxation Education)

upper

Jan 15, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 13

lower

Jan 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

lower

Jan 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Education Policy)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors