(a) The Alabama Community College System, the Alabama Fire College, and the University of South Alabama, in consultation with the associations, shall jointly develop and administer a student tuition reimbursement program for students that agree in the form of an enforceable contract agreement, to provide emergency medical services for volunteer rescue squads or volunteer fire departments in Alabama after becoming a licensed EMSP subject to the student agreeing to provide three years of service to a volunteer rescue squad or volunteer fire department.
(b) Tuition reimbursement under this article shall be the actual tuition costs paid by the student associated with obtaining certification. Tuition costs shall not be reimbursed until the student provides ACCS and the associations with documentation that he or she has successfully completed the approved course of instruction, proof of passing the certification exam, production of a valid EMSP license from the Alabama Department of Public Health and a contractual agreement to comply with the service requirements.
(c) In the event that a tuition reimbursement recipient fails to meet the service requirements for any reason other than extreme hardship as defined within the joint agreement required in Section 22-18-64(b), the individual shall be deemed to have breached the underlying contract and shall be liable in the form of monetary damages to the state for the immediate repayment of the total tuition amount reimbursed, plus interest at the rate of eight percent. The associations shall notify ACCS of recipients who fail to meet the service requirements.
Last modified: May 3, 2021