For the purposes of this article, the following terms have the following meanings:

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

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

   1. a. Is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
   2. b. Is approved by the State Board of Education to prepare educators in programs identified as having an acute educator shortage.
   3. c. Is eligible to receive Title IV federal student aid program funds.
4. (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. (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. (6) COMMISSION. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education.
7. (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. (8) ELIGIBLE APPLICANT. An individual who satisfies the criteria set out in this article and is eligible under rules adopted by the commission.
9. (9) PROGRAM. The Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama Program created by this article and administered by the commission to provide 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. (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. (11) YEAR. The fall and spring semesters of an academic year of a public K-12 school or school system.

(Act 2018-504, §3; Act 2021-389, §1; Act 2026-303, §1.)