Alabama Commission on Higher Education

The Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) is the state agency responsible for statewide higher education planning and coordination, student aid administration and designated regulatory functions. It was created by Act 14 of the May 1969 Special Session and is governed by a board of 12 lay members.[1][2]

Mission

ACHE aims to give Alabama citizens reasonable access to quality collegiate and university education and to provide a statewide framework in which colleges and universities can respond to citizens’ needs. Its planning, coordination and regulatory role covers public institutions.[1][2]

History

ACHE was created in 1969 as an advisory agency without regulatory authority, building on findings of the 1958 Alabama Education Commission and the 1968 Alabama Education Study Commission. Student aid programs were transferred to it in 1976, it received approval and regulatory authority under Act 79-461 in 1979, and data and program-review duties were added in 1996.[2]

Governance

The commission has 12 lay members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House and confirmed by the Senate. They serve at large and represent no particular institution or region, elect a chair and vice-chair each year, must be physically present to vote and cannot vote by proxy; recommending a new program requires a majority of all members, or seven votes.[2]

Duties and limits

ACHE approves new instructional units, academic programs and off-campus instruction, reviews existing programs and facilities master plans, prepares the Consolidated Budget Recommendation for the governor and legislature, collects higher education data, administers student assistance programs, oversees out-of-state institutions operating in Alabama and serves as the state’s portal for the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).[2] It does not appropriate funds, set tuition and fees, set admission standards, approve construction projects or hire and fire institutional personnel.[2]

Governance

The Alabama Commission on Higher Education coordinates higher education in the state and is governed by a 12-member lay board appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House and confirmed by the Senate.[3]

Role and scope

It handles statewide planning and coordination, administers student aid programs and carries out designated regulatory functions, which apply only to public-sector institutions. It oversees the Network of Alabama Academic Libraries, which runs Alabama Mosaic, a repository of digital materials on Alabama history, culture, places and people.[3]

FAQs

Does ACHE set tuition? No. It does not set tuition and fees, which are decided by institutions.

Who appoints ACHE members? The governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House, with Senate confirmation.

Sources

1. Wikipedia: Alabama Commission on Higher Education
2. Alabama Commission on Higher Education: About the Agency
3. Wikipedia: Alabama Commission on Higher Education

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 10, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue