National Guard; Educational Assistance Program, applied to workforce development programs, amount of benefits revised

SB 108 expands educational benefits for Alabama National Guard members by adding workforce development programs (like certifications and short-term training) to the existing tuition assistance program. It allows benefits to cover on-campus living expenses and meal plans, in addition to tuition. The bill removes the previous requirement for academic excellence benefits (which needed a 3.5 high school GPA and 3.0 college GPA) and revises eligibility rules for the program. These changes would directly affect National Guard members seeking non-degree career training or college degrees.