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Committee backs lowering reengagement scholarship age from 25 to 22
Summary
SB72 renames the Reengage Alabama grant program and lowers the minimum age for scholarship reentry eligibility from 25 to 22 to help students who left associate-degree programs reenter and pursue bachelor's degrees; the committee gave a 9-0 favorable report.
Chair presented SB72 as a bill that renames Reengage Alabama and changes minimum age eligibility for reengagement scholarships. Under the amendment, students who previously obtained an associate degree, entered the workforce, and later return to pursue a bachelor’s would be eligible to reapply starting at age 22 rather than 25.
Senator Chuckles and others described common situations—such as nurses who earn two-year degrees, enter the workforce, then later need a BSN for promotion—that motivated the change. Senator Smitherman moved a favorable report and the committee approved the bill without objection.
Committee members described the change as intended to make it easier for people to return to school sooner and progress in their careers.
