** The above requirements are not a complete listing. For additional requirements constituents may contact the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance at1- 800-922-1012 for more details, including information on continuing eligibility requirements.

Eliminates the Tuition Assistance Plan and the Louisiana Honors Scholarship Program after the 1997/98 school year and transfers participants in these programs into the appropriate TOPS award category without any detrimental impact on the students Although effective August 15, 1997, the scholarships do not go into effect until the 1998/99 school year

House Bill 1932 (Act No. 476) - Tuition Opportunity Program for Students - Teachers

Effort to boost number of La. students entering the teaching profession To obtain loans students must meet certain requirements including: Enroll in an approved teacher education program Graduate with a minimum 3.25 GPA Score at least a 23 on the ACT, or its SAT equivalent Math and chemistry majors may receive loans not to exceed $6,000 per undergraduate year Education majors may receive loans not to exceed $4,000 per undergraduate year Creates the Teacher Preparation Loan Fund in the state treasury to provide the loans Effective August 15, 1997

Senate Bill 232 (Act No. 868) - Tuition Aid to Children of Law Enforcement Officers

Pertains to children of officers or deputy sheriffs killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty New law extends eligibility for scholarships to children of adult probation and parole officers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty Current law exempts them from tuition and awards a $250 per semester cash stipend for books Effective August 15, 1997

Senate Concurrent Resolution 110 - Community College System

Board of Regents must develop a method for establishing a statewide community college system and present it to a special joint legislative committee by early August 1997 After hearing from the Regents, the legislative committee must make its community college system recommendations to the Legislature by March 1, 1998

House Bill 429 (Act No. 1497) - Community College System

Authorizes the Legislature to provide by law for the creation, governance, management and control of a community college system composed of public 2-year higher education institutions Supervision and control of the 2-year higher education institutions will be transferred from the 3 higher education management boards to any one of the 3 boards Constitutional amendment Effective upon voter approval in the 1998 Congressional primary election

Senate Bill 1272 (Act No. 1360) - Board of Regents

Strengthens power of the Board of Regents Regents will be the representative of higher education Regents will be responsible for giving advice and recommendations concerning higher education to the governor and the Legislature Regents must confirm the appointment of system presidents and campus heads made by the 3 higher education management boards Regents must have a member of each management board on each of its standing committees Requires management boards to implement and enforce orders issued by Regents Requires that management board expenditures or allocations to institutions be in accordance with the Regents' master plan for higher education Effective January 1, 1998, however, a lawsuit has been filed challenging its constitutionality

Senate Bill 1281 (Act No. 482) - Higher Education Innovative Fund

Creates the Higher Education Innovative Fund Funds: $10 million for enhancing library and scientific research equipment for colleges and universities $3 million for distance learning, university classrooms and infrastructure connections, and the purchase of equipment for the public higher education system $1 million for improving university-based teacher  training programs Effective June 30, 1997

 

For Your Information