The Alabama Commission on Higher Education, a statewide 12-member lay board appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House and confirmed by the Senate, is the state agency responsible for the overall statewide planning and coordination of higher education in Alabama, the administration of various student aid programs, and the performance of designated regulatory functions. The Commission seeks to provide reasonable access to quality collegiate and university education for the citizens of Alabama.
The Alabama Student Assistance Program is a state-supported and federally-funded grant program which is designed to assist financially-needy students. It is the state's only need-based student aid program for Alabama residents attending post-secondary educational institutions in Alabama. ASAP is a need-based, state grant ranging from $300 to $5,000 per academic year. Eligible students are undergraduate students. Nearly 80 Alabama institutions participate in the program. To apply please submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the federal government. This form should be filed beginning October 1 each year and is available on the FAFSA website or the financial aid office at the institution you plan to attend. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider’s website.