Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 300-4-12 — Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama (LASEA) Program

300 Alabama Commission on Higher Education

Ala. Admin. Code r. 300-4-12-.01 Organization (Repealed 11/14/21)

(REPEALED)

History

• Author: Tim Vick
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§16-5-10(10), et seq. Alabama Act 2017-335.
• New Rule: Filed December 12, 2017; effective January 26, 2018. Repealed: Published September 30, 2021; effective November 14, 2021.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 300-4-12-.02 Definition Of Terms (Repealed 11/14/21)

(REPEALED)

History

• Author: Tim Vick
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§16-5-10(10), et seq. Alabama Act 2017-335.
• New Rule: Filed December 12, 2017; effective January 26, 2018. Repealed: Published September 30, 2021; effective November 14, 2021.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 300-4-12-.03 Disbursement Of Funds (Repealed 11/14/21)

(REPEALED)

History

• Author: Tim Vick
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§16-5-10(10), et seq. Alabama Act 2017-335.
• New Rule: Filed December 12, 2017; effective January 26, 2018. Repealed: Published September 30, 2021; effective November 14, 2021.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 300-4-12-.04 Maintenance Of Records (Repealed 11/14/21)

(REPEALED)

History

• Author: Tim Vick
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§16-5-10(10), et seq. Alabama Act 2017-335.
• New Rule: Filed December 12, 2017; effective January 26, 2018. Repealed: Published September 30, 2021; effective November 14, 2021.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 300-4-12-.05 Appeals (Repealed 11/14/21)

(REPEALED)

History

• Author: Tim Vick
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§16-5-10(10), et seq. Alabama Act 2017-335.
• New Rule: Filed December 12, 2017; effective January 26, 2018. Repealed: Published September 30, 2021; effective November 14, 2021.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 300-4-12-.06 Reporting (Repealed 11/14/21)

(REPEALED)

History

• Author: Tim Vick
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§16-5-10(10), et seq. Alabama Act 2017-335.
• New Rule: Filed December 12, 2017; effective January 26, 2018. Repealed: Published September 30, 2021; effective November 14, 2021.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 300-4-12-.07 Organization For Loan Assistance Program

(1) It is the responsibility of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) to establish rules and regulations for the administration and implementation of the Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama (LASEA) Program. The program will be administered in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

(2) The Alabama Commission on Higher Education appoints such staff as are necessary to ensure efficient operation of the program and is the final authority in determining eligible program applicants.

(3) ACHE shall submit an annual report to the Governor and to the Chairs of the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation-Education and the House Ways and Means Education Committee and the Deputy Director of the Legislative Services Agency – Fiscal Division within 30 days after September 30th of any given year including updates on all aspects of the program.

History

• Author: Tim Vick; Stephanie C. Dolan
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §16-5-53(a); Act 2026-303
• New Rule: Filed September 19, 2018; effective November 3, 2018. Amended: Published September 30, 2021; effective November 14, 2021. Amended: Published July 31, 2026; effective September 14, 2026.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 300-4-12-.08 Purpose Of Loan Assistance Program

(1) To encourage individuals to enroll in and complete educator programs identified as having acute educator shortages and obtain Alabama certification in those programs.

(2) To improve the educational system in Alabama by encouraging those who complete and obtain certification in acute educator shortage programs to accept educator positions in Alabama public K-12 schools or school systems, including charter schools, that have been identified as acute educator shortage locations.

History

• Author: Tim Vick; Stephanie C. Dolan
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §16-5-53(a); Act 2026-303
• New Rule: Filed September 19, 2018; effective November 3, 2018. Amended: Published December 31, 2019; effective February 14, 2020. Amended: Published September 30, 2021; effective November 14, 2021. Amended: Published July 31, 2026; effective September 14, 2026.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 300-4-12-.09 Definitions For Loan Assistance Program

(1) ACUTE EDUCATOR SHORTAGE. A shortage of certified educators in identified educator programs as determined by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education in consultation with the State Department of Education and the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services.

(2) ACUTE EDUCATOR SHORTAGE LOCATION. A public K-12 school or school system that has been identified as having an acute educator shortage.

(3) APPROVED INSTITUTION. A state-supported institution of higher education or a private nonprofit institution of higher education that satisfies all of the following:

(a) Is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

(b) Is approved by the State Board of Education to prepare educators in programs identified as having an acute educator shortage.

(c) Is eligible to receive Title IV federal student aid program funds.

(4) BASE SUPPORT. Loan assistance in support of educators who are certified in a program identified as having an acute educator shortage pursuant to Section 16-5-54.

(5) CHARTER SCHOOL. A form of public K-12 school established pursuant to Chapter 6F. An educator employed by a charter school accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is eligible for the base support provided in this article. An educator employed by a charter school is not eligible for the supplemental support provided in this article.

(6) COMMISSION. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

(7) EDUCATOR. A full-time employee of a public K-12 school or school system whose function is to work with students in support of their efforts to learn and obtain an education.

(8) ELIGIBLE APPLICANT. An individual who satisfies the criteria set out in this act and is found to be eligible by rules adopted by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

(9) PROGRAM. The Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama (LASEA) Program created by this article and administered by the commission provides loan assistance to an educator with a valid Alabama professional educator certificate who is endorsed in a program identified as having an acute educator shortage.

(10) SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPORT. Loan assistance in support of educators who qualify for base support pursuant to Section 16-5-54 and are employed in an acute educator shortage location.

(11) YEAR. The fall and spring semesters of an academic year of a public K-12 school or school system.

History

• Author: Tim Vick; Stephanie C. Dolan
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §16-5-53(a); Act 2026-303
• New Rule: Filed September 19, 2018; Effective November 3, 2018. Amended: Published December 31, 2019; effective February 14, 2020. Amended: Published September 30, 2021; effective November 14, 2021. Amended: Published July 31, 2026; effective September 14, 2026.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 300-4-12-.10 Rule Making Authority For Loan Assistance Program

(1) The Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama (LASEA) Program shall be administered by the commission, which may adopt rules necessary for the administration of the program.

(2) A percentage of any annual appropriations received by the program, not to exceed 10 percent, may be expended for its operation and maintenance. Any funds appropriated to the program shall be non-reverting at the end of each fiscal year.

(3) The determination of acute educator shortages and acute educator shortage locations shall be made at least once every academic year.

History

• Author: Tim Vick; Stephanie C. Dolan
• Authority: Alabama Act 2018-504; Act 2026-303
• New Rule: Filed September 19, 2018; effective November 3, 2018. Amended: Published July 31, 2026; effective September 14, 2026.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 300-4-12-.11 Eligible Applicants And Award Amounts For Loan Assistance Program

(1) The program shall provide two levels of payment for loan assistance:

(a) Base support in the amount of seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7, 500) per year worked or three thousand seven hundred fifty dollars ($3,750) per semester, for a maximum of four consecutive years, and

(b) Supplemental support in the amount of three thousand dollars ($3,000) per year worked or one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) per semester worked, for a maximum of four consecutive years. Depending on eligibility, an eligible applicant may receive the base support or both the base support and supplemental support.

(2) To be eligible for the base support an eligible applicant shall satisfy all of the following:

(a) Is a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

(b) Is a resident of Alabama and provides documentation proving a permanent connection to the State of Alabama. The commission shall accept any one of the following as proof of residency:

1. A current valid Alabama driver license.

2. A current valid Alabama vehicle registration.

3. A current valid Alabama voter registration card.

(c) Is a graduate of an approved program at the baccalaureate or master's level from an approved institution and has been issued an Alabama educator certificate based upon completion of the approved program identified as having an acute educator shortage. An educator who only earns a passing score on the Praxis test to add a certificate endorsement for an approved program and has not completed the approved program does not satisfy this requirement.

(c) Is employed by a public K-12 school or school system.

(d) Maintains a schedule in which at least three-fourths of the full-time workload addresses an acute educator shortage.

(e) Has outstanding federal student loans, subsidized or unsubsidized.

(f) Satisfies additional continuing eligibility criteria established by the Commission.

(3) To be eligible for the supplemental support an eligible application must meet the criteria listed in 300-4-12-.11(2) and also be employed in an acute educator shortage location.

(4) Beginning in the fall semester of 2021, the benefits outlined above shall also apply to eligible individuals who are authorized to be educators in Alabama and are subsequently employed in an Alabama public K-12 school or school system, who graduated from a regionally accredited college or university in another state at the baccalaureate or master's level after the 2021 spring semester term, and who may or may not reside within Alabama, exempting 300-4-12-.11(2)(b).

(5) Public K-12 schools or school systems with acute educator shortages will be identified by the Commission in consultation with the Alabama State Department of Education.

(6) The Commission will approve the public K-12 schools and school systems in which educators will be eligible for the supplement.

(7) The list of eligible public schools and school systems will be published on the Commission’s website.

(8) Any eligible applicant who met the requirements of the program and received a loan assistance prior to August 1, 2026, shall remain eligible for loan repayments pursuant to the requirements of the program as long as they remain continuously employed with a qualifying school.

(9) Educators who obtained their certifications through an alternative certification program and received loan repayments under AMSTEP are no longer eligible for loan assistance under Act 2026-303.

History

• Author: Tim Vick, Artcola Pettway; Stephanie C. Dolan
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, Alabama Act 2022-396; Act 2026-303
• New Rule: Filed September 19, 2018; effective November 3, 2018. Amended: Published December 31, 2019; effective February 14, 2020. Amended: Published September 30, 2021; effective November 14, 2021. Amended: Published September 30, 2022; effective November 14, 2022. Amended: Published July 31, 2026; effective September 14, 2026.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 300-4-12-.12 Application Procedures For Loan Assistance Program

(1) Information concerning the Loan Assistance Program shall be:

(a) Sent to the Alabama State Department of Education for distribution to the local school districts;

(b) Sent to the Alabama Education Association for distribution to its members;

(c) Sent to the Schools/Colleges of Education at all Alabama State Board of Education approved institutions;

(d) Posted on the ACHE website.

(2) Applications shall be made to the Commission on Higher Education. Applications shall be posted on the Commission’s website.

(3) Applications must be received by ACHE by August 1 of each year.

(4) Loan assistance recipients must reapply for the program annually.

(5) In addition to the application, each applicant must submit the following:

(a) Documentation that the applicant is a graduate of qualifying institution. Submitted one time.

(b) Documentation that the applicant holds a valid Alabama professional educator certificate endorsed in a program identified as having an acute educator shortage. Submitted one time and then again when renewed.

(c) Documentation from the employing public K-12 school or school system or at an Alabama Public Charter School Commission approved charter school that the applicant taught the previous semester. This documentation may be a letter from either the applicant's superintendent or supervising principal. Submitted prior to each requested payment.

(d) Documentation that the applicant holds a federal student loan. Documentation must include the amount owed. If the award amount is larger than the outstanding loan balance, the award amount shall be reduced to the amount of the loan balance. Submitted prior to each requested payment.

History

• Author: Tim Vick; Stephanie C. Dolan
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §16-5-53(a); Act 2026-303
• New Rule: Filed September 19, 2018; effective November 3, 2018. Amended: Published December 31, 2019; effective February 14, 2020. Amended: Published September 30, 2021; effective November 14, 2021. Amended: Published July 31, 2026; effective September 14, 2026.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 300-4-12-.13 Procedures For Loan Assistance Program

(1) The requirements of this program are contingent upon available funding for the program. If funding is not adequate to cover the cost of all applicants, funds will be distributed based on a first come first serve basis.

(2) Loan assistance awards shall be distributed by the Commission in the following manner:

(a) Loan assistance awards shall be distributed directly to the eligible applicants in two disbursements during the applicable year:

(i) One disbursement shall be made after January 1, and

(ii) The second disbursement shall be made after June 1.

Each eligible applicant shall provide documentation from the employing public K-12 school or school system as proof of employment for the requested semester.

(3) If the award amount exceeds the loan balance, the award amount shall be reduced to match the loan balance.

(4) Payments will not be distributed for partial completion of a semester of work.

(5) The recipient shall notify the commission in writing of any change in status within 30 days after the change. Failure to notify the commission of a change in status shall affect future eligibility. All of the following constitute a change in status:

(a) A change in name.

(b) A change in residence.

(c) A change in employment status.

(6) To receive a loan assistance check pursuant to this act, an approved applicant must register online with the State of Alabama’s Comptroller Office. It is the responsibility of the individual to register, the Commission cannot register someone on the Vender Services System (VSS).

(7) A loan assistance check is considered income by the United States Internal Revenue Service and must be reported as such. Recipients shall be made aware of that fact.

(8) An eligible applicant who receives the base support and continues to satisfy employment criteria shall continue to receive an award for the four-year limit.

(9) An eligible applicant who receives the supplemental support and continues to satisfy employment criteria shall continue to receive an award for the four-year limit.

(10) Any funds appropriated to the program are considered non-reverting.

(11) The Commission shall determine the necessary procedures for awarding loan assistance if the total awards made to eligible applicants exceeds available funding.

History

• Author: Tim Vick; Stephanie C. Dolan
• Authority: Alabama Act 2018-504;' Act 2026-303
• New Rule: Filed September 19, 2018; effective November 3, 2018. Amended: Published July 31, 2026; effective September 14, 2026.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 300-4-12-.14 Appeal For Loan Assistance Program

Any individual or institution not satisfied with the actions of the Commission in its administration of the program may submit a written petition to the Commission within thirty (30) days after notice of the action. If not satisfied with the response of the Commission to the written petition, the individual or institution may request a rehearing within twenty (20) days after the response of the Commission is made. The Commission shall schedule the rehearing within twenty (20) days after receipt of the rehearing request. The individual or institution may present written and oral evidence supporting the petition and may be represented by counsel, if desired. The decision of the Commission following the rehearing is final.

History

• Author: Tim Vick; Stephanie C. Dolan
• Authority: Alabama Act 2018-504; Act 2026-303
• New Rule: Filed September 19, 2018; effective November 3, 2018. Amended: Published July 31, 2026; effective September 14, 2026.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 300-4-12-.15 Accountability and Evaluation Plan For Loan Assistance Program

(1) The Commission shall develop an accountability and evaluation plan for the program that does all of the following:

(a) Identifies the goals, objectives, and expected outputs and outcomes of the program.

(b) Describes the specific activities of the program and how those activities will achieve expected outcomes.

(c) Defines what the expected metrics of success shall be and provides a monitoring plan to regularly assess performance.

(d) Provides an evaluation plan to assess the impact of expected outcomes.

(2) The Commission shall consult with the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation Services on the development of the accountability and evaluation plan.

History

• Author: Stephanie C. Dolan
• Authority: Alabama Act 2026-303.
• New Rule: Published July 31, 2026; effective September 14, 2026.