Page 19 - Black Modern Annual Report A4

Special Initiatives

Student Horizon Database

The Students’ Right to Know Act was passed during the 2023
legislative session as Act 2023-556. This Act charged ACHE with
developing the Student Horizon Database. Horizon is an online
interactive tool designed to provide parents and students with a
variety of financial and academic information to help them make
informed decisions about their education and future career
paths. As noted in the legislation, the tool allows parents and
students to make direct comparisons between Alabama’s public
community colleges, public universities, private institutions, and
opportunities within America’s armed forces. Comparison factors
include college costs, admissions, academic programs, retention
and graduation outcomes, and wage earnings. Horizons can be
found at https://www.ache.edu/index.php/new_student_horizon2.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) Completion Project

In 2022, ACHE developed the FAFSA Completion Portal
and implemented direct communications with high
school seniors in Alabama to increase the state’s
FAFSA completion rate. As of August 2024, Alabama
th
ranked as 16 among the completion rates for the
Class of 2024, despite the challenges faced with the
new FAFSA process for 2024-25. ACHE also shares data
with local educators to ensure students receive the
necessary support to complete their applications
promptly and successfully. Official data for each
FAFSA award year is published in October. For further
inquiry, go to https://fafsa.ache.edu/Data/Summary.

(Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program

The (Re)Engage Alabama Grant Program from Alabama Act 2023-539 provides
financial aid to Alabama adults with some college credits, helping them return to an
authorized institution and complete degrees aligned with ACCCP's high-demand
occupations. Initially, $97,125 was awarded in Spring and Summer 2024, leading to
four degree completions. An additional $4.5 million was appropriated for 2024, which
will allow for the expansion of financial assistance and addition of new programs
from the 2024 ACCCP list in Spring 2025.

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