1. (a) The program shall provide two levels of payment for loan assistance: (i) 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 (ii) 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. (b) To be eligible for the base support, an eligible applicant shall satisfy all of the following:

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

   2. (2) Is a resident of Alabama. The commission shall accept any one of the following as proof of residency:

      1. a. A current valid Alabama driver license.
      2. b. A current valid Alabama vehicle registration.
      3. c. A current valid Alabama voter registration card.
   3. (3) 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.
   4. (4) Is employed by a public K-12 school or school system.
   5. (5) Maintains a schedule in which at least three-fourths of the full-time workload addresses an acute educator shortage.
   6. (6) Has outstanding federal student loans, subsidized or unsubsidized.
   7. (7) Satisfies additional continuing eligibility criteria established by the commission.
3. (c) To be eligible for the supplemental support, an eligible applicant must meet the criteria listed in subsection (b) and also be employed in an acute educator shortage location.

(Act 2018-504, §5; Act 2021-389, §1; Act 2022-396, §1; Act 2026-303, §1.)