Section 31-10-21

Entitlement; requirements; educational institutions to insure members aware of benefits.

(a) Any active member of the Alabama National Guard who has successfully completed advanced individual training or commissioning shall be entitled to the tuition benefits provided by this article upon his or her enrollment in a degree objective in any community or junior college that is under the authority of the State Board of Education, or enrollment in pursuit of his or her first undergraduate degree objective in any public college or university within the state. Certification and eligibility for the tuition benefits provided by this article shall be determined by the State Education Services Office of the Alabama National Guard which shall promulgate and implement administrative rules and procedures that it deems necessary to carry out and monitor the tuition benefits provided by this article.

(b) Any active member of the Alabama National Guard who enrolls utilizing the tuition benefits provided by this article shall complete the requirements for an undergraduate degree no later than ten years from the date of initial enrollment or the active member shall be responsible for all costs of any further studies required to attain his or her degree. Active member must currently have and maintain an overall C average, or the grade point equivalent thereof, at the end of each term. Failure to do so shall result in the termination of the tuition benefits provided by this article. If a student withdraws, declares academic bankruptcy, or is granted a grade waiver through a forgiveness program, he or she is responsible for paying back that portion of tuition and fees the state paid on his or her behalf.

(c) Each educational institution that enrolls an active member of the Alabama National Guard who is eligible for the tuition benefits provided by this article shall take necessary action to insure that the active member is aware of all benefits that he or she may be entitled to under the Montgomery G.I. Bill, any other VA educational benefits, any student grant or scholarship, the Active Duty Tuition Assistance Program, and the Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program. In order to receive the tuition benefits provided by this article, the active member of the Alabama National Guard shall take the necessary steps to utilize all of the above benefits.

(Acts 1993, No. 93-652, p. 1126, §2; Acts 1993, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 93-910, p. 207, §1(2).)